All About Employee Leave & PTO in Denmark
Learn about leave requirements in Denmark and how Justworks EOR can help you streamline hiring in Denmark.
How an EOR Can Help with Employee Leave & PTO in Denmark
In Denmark, adhering to employee leave policies is crucial for compliance with labor laws. Justworks EOR offers expert guidance to ensure your leave policy aligns with federal standards and meets employee expectations. Partnering with Justworks streamlines the hiring process in Denmark, saving you time, money, and effort. We help you navigate the complexities of an unfamiliar labor market by managing essential HR tasks such as payroll, payroll taxes, benefits, compliance, and more.
Employee Leave & PTO Expectations in Denmark
Understanding leave policies in Denmark helps employers comply with employment regulations.
Vacation Leave
Under the Danish Holiday Act, employees accrue 2.08 vacation days per month between September 1 to August 31 for a total of 25 days per year. Employees can take vacation within 16 months of the accrual period. Employers can provide supplemental pay options, such as paid holiday and holiday allowance.
Sick Leave
Sick leave and sick pay are a statutory benefit in Denmark.
Employer Responsibility
First 30 Days: For the first 30 days of sickness, employers pay up to DKK 4,550 per week. Only employees who’ve worked at least 74 hours over eight weeks of employment are eligible.
Municipal Responsibility
Beyond 30 Days: If the illness extends beyond 30 days, the responsibility for sick pay typically transfers to the local municipality. To qualify for this benefit, the employee must have worked at least 240 hours in the last six months and 40 hours in one of those months.
Documentation Requirements
Employers may require employees to provide documentation, such as a medical certificate, before approving extended sick leave.
Maternity & Paternity Leave
Maternity and paternity leave in Denmark is designed to provide financial stability ensuring new parents have time to care for their newborns. Under Danish law, each parent is entitled to 24 weeks of leave after childbirth. The mother is entitled to four weeks of leave prior to birth, two weeks of mandatory leave after childbirth, eight additional weeks of maternity leave, and 14 weeks parental leave (five of which can be transferred to the father or co-mother). The father or co-mother is entitled to two weeks mandatory leave after birth and 22 weeks of parental leave (13 of which may be transferred to the mother).
Miscellaneous Leave
Under the following circumstances, employees are entitled to additional leave including:
26 weeks of bereavement leave in the cases of a loss of a child after 22 weeks of pregnancy and up until the age of 18
Leave of absence to care for a closely related family member or friend for illness for the entire duration of leave paid by the local municipality
Public Holidays in Denmark
Right now, there are 10 public holidays in Denmark. Salaried employees are usually always entitled to their pay during these days. Regular employees usually have collective bargaining agreements that detail if they’re paid on holidays.
Public holidays in Denmark:
New Year’s Day: January 1
Maundy Thursday: The day before Good Friday
Good Friday: The Friday before Easter
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday: Monday following Easter
Ascension Day: May 18
Whit Sunday: The seventh Sunday after Easter
Whit Monday: The Monday after Whit Sunday
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26
Some employees may receive holidays off for May 1, Constitution Day on June 5, and Christmas Eve.
Leave Ready to Hire Confidently in Denmark?
Justworks EOR makes building your global team seamless by offering local expertise to help you understand the nuances of the talent market in Denmark. Save yourself the time and hassle of international hiring today.
