Leave Policy in Hungary: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026

What are the types of leave available in Hungary?

Employees in Hungary are entitled to statutory leave benefits under the Hungarian Labor Code. These include annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, childcare leave, and unpaid leave. Employers must provide these leave entitlements in accordance with applicable labor laws.

Annual leave

Employees are entitled to 20 working days of basic annual leave. Additional age-based leave increases the entitlement up to 30 working days depending on the employee’s age.

Employers grant annual leave after considering the employee’s interests. Employees are entitled to request seven working days of leave per year (except during the first three months of employment) at a time corresponding to their request. The employee must notify the employer at least 15 days before the start of the leave.

Annual leave must be granted so that, once per calendar year, the employee is released from work and availability obligations for at least 14 consecutive days, unless otherwise agreed. Weekly rest days, public holidays, and scheduled days off may be included when calculating this period.

Sick leave

Employees are entitled to 15 working days of employer-paid sick leave per calendar year. If employment begins during the year, the entitlement is provided on a pro-rata basis. Sick leave does not apply to work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or certain pregnancy-related cases covered by social insurance.

Maternity leave

Employees are entitled to 24 consecutive weeks of maternity leave. The leave generally begins up to four weeks before the expected date of childbirth, and at least two weeks of leave after childbirth is mandatory. Unused leave may be taken later if the child requires hospital care after birth.

Paternity leave

The Hungarian Labor Code recognizes paternity leave as a statutory leave entitlement. Employees are protected from dismissal by notice while on paternity leave. The duration and payment of paternity leave are governed by separate government regulations.

Adoption leave

During the preparation period for adoption, employees are exempted from work for the purpose of meeting an adoptable child in person for a maximum of 10 working days per year. The employee must provide certification from the organization facilitating the adoption and notify the employer according to the statutory requirements.

Childcare (parental) leave

Employees are entitled to unpaid leave to care for their child. An employee is entitled to unpaid leave until the child reaches three years of age. The leave must be granted at a time requested by the employee.

For caring for an adopted child, employees are entitled to unpaid leave for:

• Three years from the start of the child’s placement in care, or
• Six months if the adopted child is older than three years.

Employees are also entitled to unpaid leave until the child reaches 10 years of age during the period of receiving child care benefits. Employers must grant these leave entitlements in accordance with the eligibility and notice requirements prescribed under the Hungarian Labor Code.

Breastfeeding breaks

A nursing mother is exempted from work:

• Twice per day during the first six months of breastfeeding.
• In the case of twins, twice per day for two hours per occasion during the first six months.
• Once per day until the end of the ninth month.
• In the case of twins, two hours per day until the end of the ninth month.

Unpaid leave

Employees are entitled to unpaid leave in specific situations, including:

• Caring for a child.
• Caring for an adopted child.
• Providing long-term personal care for a relative.
• Actual voluntary reserve military service.

For long-term personal care of a relative expected to exceed 30 days, unpaid leave is granted for the duration of care, up to a maximum of two years. The need for care must be certified by the attending physician. Employees must notify the employer of the use of unpaid leave in writing at least 15 days in advance.

Bereavement leave

Employees are entitled to two working days of bereavement leave following the death of a relative. During this period, they are exempt from their work obligations in accordance with the Hungarian Labor Code.

What are the public holidays in Hungary in 2026?

Hungary observes several national public holidays each year. Employees are generally entitled to paid leave on official public holidays. The government may also designate additional rest days by transferring working days to selected Saturdays to create long weekends.

Navigate local employment requirements in Hungary with Skuad

By now, you have a clear understanding of Hungary's leave policy, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, public holidays, and other statutory employee entitlements. Managing these requirements while administering payroll and maintaining compliance can be challenging for companies hiring internationally.

Skuad supports global teams with employment contracts aligned with Hungarian labor requirements, payroll processing in 70+ currencies, statutory contribution workflows, and leave and benefits administration through its Employer of Record (EOR) platform. This helps businesses manage their workforce in Hungary while staying aligned with local employment requirements.

Book a demo to see how Skuad supports global hiring in Hungary.

FAQs

1. What is the leave policy in Hungary?

Hungary's leave policy is governed by the Hungarian Labor Code, which establishes statutory entitlements for annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, childcare leave, and unpaid leave. Employers must administer these entitlements in accordance with the applicable eligibility, notice, payment, and employee protection requirements.

2. How many days of annual leave are employees entitled to in Hungary?

Employees receive a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave each year. The entitlement increases with the employee's age, reaching a maximum of 30 working days for employees aged 45 years and above. Employers must also comply with the statutory rules governing leave scheduling and employee leave requests.

3. How much sick leave are employees entitled to in Hungary?

Employees are entitled to 15 working days of employer-paid sick leave per calendar year. Where employment begins during the year, the entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis. After the employer-paid sick leave period, eligible employees may receive sickness benefits through Hungary's social security system.

4. What maternity and paternity leave are employees entitled to in Hungary?

Eligible employees are entitled to 24 consecutive weeks of maternity leave, while paternity leave is available under the Hungarian Labor Code. The duration and payment of paternity leave are governed by applicable government regulations. Employees taking these statutory leave entitlements are protected under the relevant labor laws.

5. What childcare leave is available in Hungary?

Employees may take unpaid childcare leave until their child reaches three years of age. Additional unpaid leave may also be available in certain adoption and childcare benefit situations, subject to statutory eligibility requirements. Employers must administer these leave entitlements in accordance with the Hungarian Labor Code.

6. What should employers consider when managing leave in Hungary?

Employers should maintain accurate leave records, calculate statutory payments correctly, and comply with the eligibility and notice requirements for each leave category. Public holidays, government-designated workday transfers, and payroll obligations should also be considered when planning employee schedules and administering leave.