Updated July 2nd 2026
All About Employee Leave & PTO in Finland
Learn what you need to know about leave requirements in Finland and how Justworks EOR can help streamline hiring.
How an EOR Can Help with Employee Leave & PTO
Finland’s employment laws set clear standards for annual leave, public holidays, and family-related leave. These requirements are mandatory and widely reinforced through collective agreements.
Justworks helps you manage statutory leave through our EOR service, ensuring employees receive the required time off per local labor laws.
Employee Leave & PTO Expectations in Finland
Finland provides structured leave protections based on length of service and family needs. Employers must track leave accrual accurately and apply statutory rules consistently.
Vacation Leave
Employees accrue annual leave based on months worked. Typically, employees earn two days of leave per month during their first year of service and 2.5 days per month after one year. Leave is generally taken during the summer holiday season unless otherwise agreed.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to paid sick leave when unable to work due to illness or injury. Employers typically pay employees their full salary for the first 10 days, However, Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) often extend full salary pay for longer. If more time is needed beyond that, additional compensation may be covered through Finland’s social security system for up to 300 days.
Parental/Maternity Leave
Finland provides pregnancy and parental leave through the national social security system. New mothers are entitled to 40 working days of maternity leave. Following that, parental leave kicks in, where each parent is entitled to 160 working days. Parents are entitled to paid family leave benefits, with compensation funded primarily through social insurance. Employment protection applies during approved leave periods.
Other Types of Leave
Finland also recognizes additional leave rights, including:
13 national public holidays
Temporary care leave for a sick child
Study leave under certain conditions
Leave for civic duties
Employers must apply these rights in accordance with statutory rules and collective agreements.
Public Holidays in Finland
Employees who work on a public holiday are typically entitled to premium compensation under applicable agreements. Finland observes 13 national public holidays each year, including:
New Year's Day – Jan 1
Epiphany – Jan 6
Good Friday – March/April
Easter Sunday – March/April
Easter Monday – March/April
May Day / May Day Eve – May 1
Ascension Day – May/June (40 days after Easter)
Pentecost / Whit Sunday – May/June
Midsummer Day – Saturday between June 20–26
All Saints' Day – Saturday between Oct 31–Nov 6
Independence Day – Dec 6
Christmas Day – Dec 25
St. Stephen's Day / Boxing Day – Dec 26
Ready to Hire Confidently in Finland?
Build your global team seamlessly with local experts who can help you understand the local labor market while saving you the time and hassle of hiring in Finland.
