Work-Life Balance – Employee Leave Entitlement in Denmark in 2024

Kristian Ole Rørbye

Updated:

Kristian Ole Rørbye

Kristian Ole Rørbye

Kristian is from Denmark but now lives in Thailand. As a foreigner in another country, he knows the need to get a good start, especially in finance, such as taking out loans, buying a car, and finding the best internet at a reasonable price.

The importance of employee leaves entitlement to create happy and engaged workers.

Everyone experiences days when demands pile up on one side of the work scale and dominate our days, while unfulfilled desires and personal work pile up on the other.

This is why an employee leaves entitlement in Denmark so important. Companies are looking for ways to help their employees manage work, have a good social life, and take the time to work on their projects and spend time with their family and interests. 

Employee entitlement also offers workers flexibility and allows them to encompass their work and personal demands so that one priority doesn’t interfere with another.

Organizations in Denmark are looking to cultivate a company culture and support and encourage their employees in business and their personal life. 

Key Takeaways

  • Denmark is often ranked as one of the top nations to work in
  • The Danish Act protects employees’ rights to work vacation and paid holidays
  • Employees have the right to five weeks off every year as holiday leave
  • Paid holidays are encouraged by companies and headhunters in Denmark

What is the new Danish employee leave entitlement from 2020?

What is the new Danish employee leave entitlement from 2020?

In 2020, a new Danish law said that people working in Denmark could take a holiday the month after they earn the leave.

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This means people can earn their leave and use it as they go. Danish law is designed to be fair and aims to simplify how people earn holidays so they can take the leave they have earned instead of waiting a long time to take it. 

Many Danish company administrators and managers ensure they get quick data to make smarter decisions so their employees can plan their vacations.

For employees that prefer not to take their vacation time, your pay earnings are paid out when they retire or leave the company, which makes it great for employees. This also allows them to schedule their work and plan their shifts so they can take their vacation days without stress. 

How many vacation days do you get in Denmark?

If you work in Denmark, you are covered by the Danish holiday legislation and annual holiday act that offer all working employees the right to five weeks’ holiday. While some companies will pay you your full salary while on holiday, others offer partial payment, and this all depends on the company you work for. 

While the employer has to pay holiday pay for employees to use their holidays, in some places, employees can also take care of days which offers them an extra five days of holiday.

These extra days can be taken in addition to your holiday allowance, or if you’ve worked on holidays, festivals, and more, you will be compensated for the same. For employees who have not taken their vacation leave and are leaving the company with a notice period of two to three months, the employer can either pay them for the leave they haven’t taken or allow them to take leave during this period. 

What are the different types of employee leave in Denmark?

Here are the different types of leaves employers need to offer their employees in Demark.

Sick leave

Employees are entitled to full salary during sickness from the employer or the company without limitations. If the employee is entitled to sick leave, they are allowed to take it with full pay, and if the leave extends to a month, the employer can be reimbursed by the municipality.

Keep in mind that the employee needs to be working for the company for at least two months and has worked a minimum of 74 hours during this time. The benefits of sick leave are also based on the employee’s salary and position.

Maternity or paternity leave

New mothers are entitled to four weeks of leave before giving birth and fourteen weeks after. This leave is often mandatory and enforced so parents can spend time with their children. New mothers are entitled to 50% of their salary during this time. 

On the other hand, men are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave, which they can take after birth, and just like new mothers, they are entitled to 50% of their full salary. 

With adoption leave, parents can take four weeks which can be extended in the case of a delay, and once the child is brought home, parents can take 14 weeks of leave in total before the child is a year old. 

Please read our full guide about paternity/maternity leave

Bereavement leave

This leave is a temporary time off for employees following a death of a relative or loved one. However, how much time the employee can take off and if the salary is paid during this time all comes down to the company you work for and the employer’s discretion.

Carer’s leave

If employees have to care for a sick parent or relative who is dying, seriously ill, or even handicapped, they can take this leave. During this time, the government is responsible for the carer’s leave pay, and if the employers have already paid the employee, they can be reimbursed by the government. 

Is employee leave given for emergencies in Denmark?

If there is an emergency, your employer needs to give you time to deal with this emergency, depending on the situation and circumstances. This is only given to working employees, and in certain cases, your employer will compensate you for the time taken; however, this depends on the company and the emergency.

Most Denmark employees work 37 hours a week, and even with overtime, no work week is allowed to exceed 48 hours. 

When it comes to annual leave, employees are given a certain number of days they can take each month, but they are also allowed to earn their holidays. If the employees don’t take their leave, the leave can either be compensated to them before they leave or they can take this leave in the case of any emergencies, vacations, or more. 

How has an employee left changed in Denmark over the years?

In recent years, many employers have noticed that focusing on employee leaves increases productivity and lowers the likelihood of their employees getting sick and can help boost mental health.

Employees can now earn their leave and use those days whenever they like; the more hours they put in, the more leave they can earn, and this allows them to rethink how they want to plan their holidays and when they want to take them.

If you haven’t earned enough days off, you can ask your manager to borrow additional holidays and then earn it back at the start of the next holiday period. This means that you would owe two days off each month. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Employee Leave Entitlement in Denmark 

Here are some of the most asked questions about employee leave in Denmark and how to take them.

Who is entitled to leave benefits in Denmark?

Danish law classifies employees into five main brackets: salaried employees, industrial workers, independent contractors, employee shareholders, chief executive officers, and other employees that are drawing a regular salary, be it full-time or part-time.

How to set up and manage international employee leave?

No matter where you are from, if you are working and living in Denmark, you are entitled to employee leave benefits. You can check the same with your payroll provider, legal advisor, HR, and accounts for a quick, simple alternative.

How much leave must I take in a year in Denmark?

You are entitled to take 5.6 weeks of paid holiday, including bank holidays, festivals, and other national holidays.

How does vacation pay work in Denmark?

According to Danish vacation and leave law, you earn 2.08 paid vacation days each month, giving you 25 days of paid vacation. If you work overtime and earn more days, you can take those days in addition to your 25 days of leave.

How many sick days do I get in Denmark in a year?

Generally, you can get sick benefits for a maximum of 22 weeks in 9 months. This has to be decided by the company you work for, and if you exceed these days, your leave will not be paid for unless there are special circumstances.

In Summary

Now that you know everything there is to know about employee leave entitlement in Denmark follow the new holiday act and check your leave days with your employer along with how many vacation days you have earned through the year.

Kristian Ole Rørbye

ABOUT Kristian Ole Rørbye

Kristian is from Denmark but now lives in Thailand. As a foreigner in another country, he knows the need to get a good start, especially in finance, such as taking out loans, buying a car, and finding the best internet at a reasonable price.

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