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How to check your paid holiday entitlement

Scope: UK guidance · applies to workers in the UK; working pattern mattersSource checked: 2 October 2026

Official guidanceCurrent guidanceCoverage / exclusions: The guidance applies to 'workers' (a broader category than employees). Certain groups such as the genuinely self-employed are not covered. Bank holidays are not automatically paid leave.

The official GOV.UK guide explains statutory holiday entitlement for workers in the UK, covering full-time, part-time, irregular-hours and part-year workers. It clarifies the 28-day cap, bank holiday treatment, and links to an official calculator.

Statutory entitlement overview

Almost all workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday per year. For a 5-day week worker, this is at least 28 days. Part-time workers get 5.6 weeks but fewer days (e.g., 3 days/week = 16.8 days).

Irregular hours and part-year workers

Workers with irregular hours or part-year workers accrue leave based on hours worked, up to 5.6 weeks. For leave years beginning on or before 31 March 2024, accrual based on hours worked is not required; use the calculator for estimates.

Limits and bank holidays

Statutory paid holiday is capped at 28 days. Bank holidays do not have to be given as paid leave; employers may include them as part of statutory leave. Extra contractual leave is optional and may have different rules.

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Official source

UK Government

This is our reading summary, not an official translation. The linked source is authoritative.

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