35 Vacation Days: Who Qualifies? Find Out Who’s Entitled to Extended Leave in 2025

‍New Trends in Annual Leave Policies

In 2025, the topic of "35 vacation days" is generating significant interest among both employees and employers. Changes in the approach to work-life balance, the implementation of EU directives, and growing awareness of the importance of rest are prompting a recurring question: who is entitled to 35 days of vacation? Is extended leave becoming a standard benefit or still a privilege reserved for a few? In this article, we explain who qualifies for 35 vacation days, under what conditions it can be granted, and how to apply for this extended leave in 2025.

Standard Vacation Leave Entitlement in Poland

According to the Labour Code, the basic annual vacation entitlement in Poland remains unchanged in 2025:

• 20 days – for employees with less than 10 years of work experience
• 26 days – for employees with at least 10 years of work experience

This applies to all employees with employment contracts and is fully paid. Some professional groups, such as teachers or judges, may be entitled to longer leave under separate regulations.

35 Vacation Days – A Universal Right for All Workers?

As of 2025, there is no official legislation extending standard annual leave to 35 days for all employees. Although trade unions and some stakeholders advocate for this change, no formal amendment to the Labour Code has been enacted. Proposals to grant 35 days of vacation regardless of seniority are still in the consultation and analysis phase.

Who Can Realistically Get 35 Vacation Days in 2025?

Although the standard leave entitlement hasn't been extended, some employees can effectively take up to 35 days off by combining various types of leave and time off introduced as part of EU work-life balance directives and legal updates:

• 20 or 26 days of annual leave (depending on seniority)
• 2 days (or 16 hours) of childcare leave
• 5 days of unpaid caregiving leave
• 2 days (or 16 hours) of emergency leave due to force majeure (paid at 50%)

Together, these add up to 35 days off annually, but not all are fully paid, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances. In practice, 35 days off is most accessible to employees with at least 10 years of experience who can combine standard vacation with new statutory leave entitlements.

Exceptions and Special Groups

• University lecturers – entitled to 36 days of paid annual leave under separate laws
• Certain public sector employees – may receive extended leave based on sector-specific rules
• Private companies – increasingly offer additional leave as a benefit, though this is not mandated by law

Proposed Changes: Seniority-Based Leave

There are ongoing discussions about a new concept of “seniority-based leave,” which would increase vacation days based on years of service—for example:

• 30 days after 10 years,
• 35 days after 15 years,
• 40 days after 20 years.

However, these proposals are not yet legally binding.

Practical Tips: How to Apply for Your Leave

How to Submit a Vacation Leave Request?

To take your vacation, you must submit a formal request to your employer including:

• Your full name and position
• Company and supervisor’s information
• Proposed leave dates
• Number of days requested
• Your signature

Requests can be submitted in paper form or electronically via the company’s HR system. Employers may refuse the proposed dates due to business needs but must suggest alternative dates.

Combining Different Types of Leave

To reach the 35-day mark, employees need to strategically combine all available entitlements—including standard vacation, childcare leave, caregiving leave, and emergency leave. It's advisable to consult with HR to confirm which types of leave apply to your situation.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• 35 vacation days in 2025 is a combination of various types of statutory and non-statutory leave—not a new universal standard.
• The full 35 days typically apply to employees with at least 10 years of service who also qualify for additional leave under new regulations.
• There is no legal guarantee of 35 days of vacation for all employees yet, though discussions are ongoing.
• Workers should stay updated on legal changes, understand their entitlements, and plan their leave in advance.
• Longer vacation time is not just a perk but a valuable element of modern HR policies, gaining importance in 2025.

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