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UK statutory holiday entitlement 2025/26
All workers in the UK are legally entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year under the Working Time Regulations 1998. For a full-time worker on a 5-day week this equals 28 days per year including bank holidays.
Full-time workers
A full-time worker working 5 days a week is entitled to 28 days paid holiday per year (5.6 × 5). Employers can include the 8 bank holidays in England and Wales within this 28-day entitlement.
Part-time workers
Part-time workers are entitled to the same proportion of 5.6 weeks holiday as full-time workers. A worker on 3 days a week is entitled to 5.6 × 3 = 16.8 days per year. Part-time workers cannot be treated less favourably than full-time workers.
Irregular hours workers — the 12.07% method
For workers with irregular hours, holiday entitlement is calculated as 12.07% of hours worked. This is derived from the fact that 5.6 weeks holiday represents 12.07% of a full working year (5.6 ÷ 46.4 weeks = 12.07%).
Note: Following regulatory updates under the Employment Rights framework, this method is explicitly codified for processing irregular hours and part-year work cycles.
Holiday pay rate
Holiday pay must be paid at the worker's normal rate of pay. This includes regular overtime, commission and other regular payments — not just basic pay. HMRC has taken enforcement action against employers who paid only basic pay during holidays.
Holiday accrual during the first year
Workers accrue holiday from their first day of employment. In the first year, workers accrue approximately 2.33 days per month (28 ÷ 12). Employers can require workers to take holiday at specific times, including shutdowns, provided they give adequate notice.
Carrying over holiday
Workers can carry over up to 4 weeks of unused holiday if they were unable to take it due to illness. Workers can also carry over holiday accrued during family leave.