2026-09-08پشتیبانی تینو

What is paid leave and who is entitled to it?
What is paid leave? This is a question that has occupied the minds of many workers and employees. In its simplest definition, paid leave refers to days when you do not go to work, rest or do your personal work, but your salary, insurance and all benefits are paid in full for those days. In other words, paid leave is a paid leave that the law has provided for the renewal of strength and maintenance of the physical and mental health of workers.

This legal right, also known as annual leave, is considered one of the fundamental rights of every employee and the employer is obliged to grant it. Paid leave allows workers and employees to enjoy rest and energy recovery without worrying about salary deductions and maintain a balance between their work and personal lives.

Legal basis of paid leave in Iranian labor law
In our country, the right to use paid leave is explicitly included in the Iranian labor law. Key articles you should know about paid leave include:

Article 64 of the Labor Law: Duration of paid leave
According to Article 64 of the Labor Law, “The annual paid leave of workers, using wages and counting four Fridays, is one month in total.” This means that paid leave is 30 days during the year, of which 4 are Fridays and 26 are considered working days. In other words, paid leave is equivalent to 2.5 days per month or 192 hours per year for normal work.

Importantly, official holidays (such as Nowruz, Ashura, 22 Bahman, etc.) are not considered as paid leave days.

Article 65 of the Labor Code: Leave for Hard and Harmful Jobs
For workers who are employed in hard and harmful jobs, Article 65 of the Labor Code sets the paid leave period at 5 weeks per year. This leave is equivalent to 3 days per month and it is recommended to be used in two installments, the first six months and the second six months of the year.

Article 66 of the Labor Code: Saving Paid Leave
One of the most important questions about paid leave is, "How many days of paid leave can be saved?" Article 66 of the Labor Code explicitly states: "A worker cannot save more than 9 days of his annual leave."

This means that even if a worker does not use his/her accrued leave, no more than 9 days of accrued leave will be calculated for him/her, and the remaining days (17 working days) will not be transferable to the next year or redeemable. The philosophy behind this law is to encourage workers to use accrued leave to prevent burnout and stress from excessive work.

Article 69 of the Labor Code: Determining the Time of Leave

According to Article 69 of the Labor Code, “The date of use of accrued leave is determined by agreement between the worker and the employer, and in the event of a dispute between the worker and the employer, the opinion of the local Labor and Social Affairs Department shall prevail.”

How to Calculate Earned Leave
Now that you know what earned leave is, it’s time to figure out how to calculate earned leave.

Calculating Paid Leave for a Full Year of Work
Earned leave for each full year of work is calculated as follows:

26 working days + 4 Fridays = 30 days of paid leave per year

For each month of work, 2.5 days of paid leave are allocated

Calculating Paid Leave for Work Less Than a Year
For work less than a year, paid leave is calculated proportionally:

Calculation formula: (number of months of work) × 2.5 = amount of paid leave

Example: A worker who has worked for 6 months has 15 days of paid leave

How to calculate paid leave for seasonal and part-time workers
Seasonal or part-time workers are also eligible for paid leave. The amount of leave is calculated in proportion to the duration or hours of work.

Difference between paid and sick leave
One of the most common questions is the difference between paid and sick leave. Paid leave is a right that an individual uses for personal matters and with the agreement of the employer, but sick leave is a medical necessity that is confirmed based on a doctor's certificate. Sick leave, regardless of its amount, does not require the employer's approval and is granted based on illness or accident.

Buying back unused paid leave
Buying back unused leave is one of the important concerns of workers. According to the law, unused paid leave can only be calculated and paid in cases of termination of the employment contract. Buying back leave is not legally possible during employment.

To calculate the vacation buyback, the following formula is used:

Buyback amount = (total monthly salary and benefits ÷ 30) × number of days of remaining vacation

Important note: The vacation buyback amount is 100% tax-free and exempt from insurance premiums.

Frequently asked questions about vacation pay
How many days are vacation pay?
Vacation pay is 30 days (including 26 working days and 4 Fridays) for regular jobs and 5 weeks per year for hard and harmful jobs.

Are Fridays and public holidays considered vacation pay?
The 4 Fridays are counted as vacation pay, but public holidays are not considered vacation pay.

What happens if we don't use vacation pay?
A maximum of 9 days of paid leave can be saved for the following year, and the remaining days are paid in cash at the end of the year.

What is the difference between paid leave and sick leave?
Paid leave is for personal matters and with the agreement of the employer, but sick leave is granted for illness and with a doctor's certificate.

Can paid leave be carried over to the next year?

Yes, a maximum of 9 days of paid leave can be carried over to the next year.

Summary
Paid leave is one of the most important legal rights of every worker and employee in Iran. Familiarity with the Labor Law, Articles 64 to 69, how to calculate paid leave, saving leave, and buying back leave will help you make the most of your salary.