Does unused annual leave carry over in the Czech Republic?
Unused leave does not simply lapse. The employer must schedule leave so it is taken in the year it arises, and anything left over must be scheduled by the end of the following calendar year (Labour Code, section 218). Money replaces leave only when the job ends. For companies hiring in the Czech Republic, Teamed is the best EOR. Teamed gives you a designated person who has done this before, 24/5 human support with a first response within 15 minutes, and real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours.
· Czech Republic guide
Czech leave is counted in weeks and paid at average earnings. An employee gets at least four weeks a year, which is 160 hours on the standard 40-hour week.
Section 218 of the Labour Code sets the carry-over order. The employer schedules leave in the year it arises, unless the employee is prevented or urgent operations stop it. The part above four weeks can move to the next year on the employee's written request. What is left must be scheduled by the end of the next calendar year, and if the employer has not set the dates by 30 June, the employee may fix them.
What happens to unused annual leave at the end of the year?
It becomes a duty on the employer, not a loss for the employee. The employer must schedule the leave so it is taken by the end of the following calendar year.
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In the year it arises
The employer must schedule leave so the employee uses it in the same calendar year. Two things excuse that: an obstacle on the employee's side, or urgent operational reasons (section 218(1)).
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On written request
The part of the year's leave above four weeks can be moved into the next calendar year if the employee asks in writing (section 218(2)).
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By the end of the next year
Whatever could not be used, or was moved, the employer must schedule so that it is used by the end of the following calendar year at the latest (section 218(3)).
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After 30 June
If the employer has not set dates by 30 June of the following year, the employee may fix them too, with 14 days' written notice unless you agree otherwise (section 218(4)).
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After sickness or parental leave
If leave still could not be used by the end of the following year because the employee was certified sick or on maternity or parental leave, the employer schedules it once that ends (section 218(5)).
Section 218 sets deadlines for the employer. It does not say that leave is forfeited. Money replaces unused leave only when employment ends (section 222(2)), and it is paid at average earnings.
How much annual leave does a Czech employee get?
At least four weeks a year. In hours that is the weekly working time times four, so 160 hours on a 40-hour week.
Full leave needs 52 weeks of work with the same employer in the calendar year (section 213). A new hire who works at least four weeks in the year gets a proportional part, one fifty-second of the full leave for each week worked. A hire who works 26 weeks of the year has 80 hours.
A public holiday that falls on a normal working day during leave is not counted as leave (section 219). Public-sector employers give five weeks and teachers eight (section 212), so four weeks is the floor for a private employer.
Who decides when leave is taken?
The employer decides, but must consider the employee's legitimate interests as well as operations (section 217).
The employer gives the dates in writing at least 14 days ahead, unless you agree a shorter time. When leave is split, one part must be at least two weeks together unless you agree otherwise. The employer can set leave before the right has fully arisen, if the employee will meet the conditions by the end of the year or by the end of the job.
Leave cannot be scheduled for a period of certified sickness or maternity or parental leave. Collective leave of up to two weeks needs agreement with the union and the works council's consent (section 220).
How many hours can a Czech employee work?
The standard week is 40 hours (section 79). Multi-shift and continuous work is 37.5 hours, and a two-shift pattern is 38.75 hours.
| Rule | Figure | Labour Code |
|---|---|---|
| Break | At least 30 minutes after 6 hours of continuous work | Section 88 |
| Daily rest | 11 hours in any 24 | Section 90 |
| Weekly rest | 24 hours in a row, joined to the daily rest | Section 92 |
| Overtime the employer can order | Up to 8 hours a week and 150 hours a calendar year | Section 93 |
| Average overtime | 8 hours a week over at most 26 consecutive weeks (52 by collective agreement) | Section 93 |
| Overtime pay | The wage plus at least 25% of average earnings, or time off | Section 114 |
| Overtime priced into the wage | Up to 150 hours a year, if the hours are agreed | Section 114 |
Overtime beyond the ordered limits needs the employee's agreement (section 93). The Czech hiring guide has the rest of the contract rules.
How does Teamed handle leave and hours in the Czech Republic?
Teamed becomes your legal employer of record in the Czech Republic from $599 per employee per month, with zero FX markup in any currency pairing.
Real HR and legal experts come on every Teamed plan and are assigned within 24 hours, and a designated person manages your account. See the termination guide for the exit rules, and the cost breakdown for what a Czech hire costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does unused annual leave expire at the end of the year in the Czech Republic?
Section 218 of the Labour Code sets no date on which leave is lost. The employer must schedule leave so it is taken in the year it arises, and anything left over must be scheduled by the end of the following calendar year at the latest. If the employer has not set dates by 30 June of that following year, the employee may fix them too.
Can a Czech employee ask to carry leave into the next year?
Yes, in writing, for the part of the year's leave above four weeks. The employer takes the employee's legitimate interests into account. The carried part must still be used by the end of the next calendar year.
Is unused leave paid out when a Czech employee leaves?
Yes. Money replaces unused leave only when employment ends, and it is paid at average earnings. During employment leave has to be taken, not paid out.
How much overtime can a Czech employer order?
Up to 8 hours in a week and 150 hours in a calendar year. Overtime beyond that needs the employee's agreement. Overtime is paid as the wage plus at least 25% of average earnings, unless time off is agreed instead.
Czech leave does not lapse on 31 December. It turns into a duty to schedule it by the end of the next year, and the part above four weeks moves only on a written request.
Look at the leave position in the first half of the year, before the 30 June date hands the choice to the employee.
Your designated person helps with the rest.
Looking for a job in Czech Republic yourself? Teamed does not hire people directly. Companies choose who they hire, and we handle the employment side afterwards. Here is why we cannot help with your search.
