How much holiday you get by law
Almost every worker gets 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. That’s 28 days if you work 5 days a week. It’s capped at 28 days, even if you work 6 or 7 days.
| 5 days a week | 28 days |
|---|---|
| 4 days a week | 22.4 days |
| 3 days a week | 16.8 days |
| 2 days a week | 11.2 days |
| 1 day a week | 5.6 days |
Your employer can count bank holidays as part of this, and many do. Your contract can give you more, but never less.
Irregular hours and term-time workers
If your hours change from week to week, or you only work part of the year, you build up holiday at 12.07% of the hours you work in each pay period. This applies to holiday years that started on or after 1 April 2024. Work 80 hours in a month and you build up about 9.7 hours of holiday.
Your employer can instead add 12.07% to your pay each pay period, called rolled-up holiday pay. It should be shown separately on your payslip.
Starting or leaving part way through the year
You get a share of the year’s holiday for the part of the year you work. In your first year, your employer must round part days up to the nearest half day. When you leave, you must be paid for any holiday you’ve built up but not taken.
Notice periods
| You resign (after 1 month in the job) | At least 1 week, or what your contract says |
|---|---|
| Your employer ends your job: 1 month to 2 years | At least 1 week |
| 2 to 12 years | 1 week for each full year |
| 12 years or more | 12 weeks |
If your contract gives a longer notice period, that applies instead.
Worked example
Sam works 5 days a week, with 28 days’ holiday and a January holiday year. Sam hands in a week’s notice on 1 July 2026, has taken 5 days so far, and earns £26,000.
| Last day | 8 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Holiday built up: 28 × 189 ÷ 365 days | 14.5 days |
| Minus holiday taken | 5 days |
| Owed in final pay: 9.5 days × £100 | £950 before tax |
Changing jobs?
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Can my employer make me take holiday during my notice?
Yes, if they give you enough warning: at least twice as many days’ notice as the holiday they want you to take.
What if I’ve taken more holiday than I’ve built up?
Your employer can only take the extra out of your final pay if your contract or a written agreement says so.
Do I build up holiday on maternity leave or sick leave?
Yes. You keep building up statutory holiday during maternity, paternity, adoption and sick leave.