Quick Answer: How Much Holiday Are UK Employees Entitled To?
UK employees are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave per year. For full-time workers (5 days/week), this equals 28 days including bank holidays.
| Employment Type | Annual Entitlement | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (5 days/week) | 28 days | 5 x 5.6 = 28 |
| Part-time (3 days/week) | 16.8 days | 3 x 5.6 = 16.8 |
| Part-time (4 days/week) | 22.4 days | 4 x 5.6 = 22.4 |
Understanding UK Statutory Holiday Entitlement
The statutory minimum holiday entitlement in the UK is set by the Working Time Regulations 1998. This legislation ensures all workers receive adequate paid time off, regardless of their contract type.
Key Facts About UK Holiday Entitlement
- Minimum entitlement: 5.6 weeks (28 days for 5-day workers)
- Bank holidays: Can be included in the 28 days
- Accrual rate: 1/12th of annual entitlement per month
- Carry-over: Employers can allow unused days to roll over
- Payment: Must be at normal rate of pay
What's Included in the 28 Days?
Employers can include the 8 UK bank holidays within the statutory 28 days. This means:
- Including bank holidays: Employee gets 20 days to choose + 8 bank holidays = 28 total
- Excluding bank holidays: Employee gets 28 days to choose + 8 bank holidays = 36 total
Most UK employers offer 20-25 days plus bank holidays, totalling 28-33 days annually.
How to Calculate Holiday Entitlement for Part-Time Workers
Part-time employees receive pro-rata holiday entitlement based on their working pattern.
Formula for Part-Time Holiday Calculation
Days worked per week x 5.6 = Annual holiday entitlement
Examples
3 days per week: 3 x 5.6 = 16.8 days annual leave
4 days per week: 4 x 5.6 = 22.4 days annual leave
Variable hours (annualised): Total hours worked ÷ Full-time equivalent hours x 28 days
Calculating Holiday for New Starters
New employees accrue holiday from their first day of employment. The accrual method depends on your company policy:
Monthly Accrual Method
Annual entitlement ÷ 12 = Monthly accrual
28 days ÷ 12 = 2.33 days per month
Daily Accrual Method (More Precise)
Annual entitlement ÷ 365 x Days worked = Accrued holiday
28 ÷ 365 x 90 days = 6.9 days
Example: An employee starting on 1 October with a calendar-year leave year would accrue approximately 7 days by 31 December.
UK Bank Holidays 2026
The UK has 8 bank holidays in England and Wales:
| Date | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 3 April | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 31 August | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Boxing Day (substitute) |
Note: Scotland has 9 bank holidays, Northern Ireland has 10.
Holiday Pay: What Employers Must Know
Holiday pay must reflect normal earnings, including:
- Basic salary
- Regular overtime (if guaranteed or regularly worked)
- Commission (based on average over reference period)
- Bonuses (if performance-related and regular)
The 52-Week Reference Period
Since April 2020, holiday pay calculations use a 52-week reference period to average variable pay components.
Common Employer Mistakes to Avoid
- Not including regular overtime in holiday pay calculations
- Forcing employees to take leave without proper notice (2x the leave duration)
- Refusing carry-over for workers unable to take leave due to illness
- Incorrect pro-rata calculations for part-time workers
- Not paying accrued holiday on termination
Using Grove to Manage Holiday Entitlements
Grove automatically handles:
- Pro-rata calculations for part-time workers
- New starter accrual tracking
- Bank holiday management (multi-country)
- Carry-over rules and expiry dates
- Holiday pay calculations for variable workers
Get started with Grove and simplify your leave management.
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The Grove Team
Grove HR
The Grove Team writes about HR best practices, compliance, and workplace culture for Grove. Helping UK businesses cultivate thriving teams.
