In Argentina, employees are entitled to paid annual leave under the Labour Contract Law (Ley de Contrato de Trabajo, LCT 20.744). The entitlement increases with length of service: 14 days for less than five years, 21 days for 5–10 years, 28 days for 10–20 years, and 35 days for more than 20 years of service.
Statutory entitlement
14 days for less than 5 years of service. 21 days for 5–10 years. 28 days for 10–20 years. 35 days for more than 20 years.
Eligibility
Employees must have worked for at least six months to be entitled to the full annual leave entitlement. For less than six months, leave is pro-rated at one day per 20 days worked.
Legal basis
Ley de Contrato de Trabajo No. 20.744, Articles 150–158.
Employer obligations
- Grant annual leave as per the statutory minimum (14–35 days based on service).
- Pay the employee's normal remuneration during annual leave.
- Pay for unused annual leave on termination of employment.
- Not require the employee to waive annual leave.
Employee rights
- Right to 14–35 days of annual leave based on service.
- Right to be paid at normal remuneration during annual leave.
- Right to paid leave payout on termination.
Common pitfalls
- Not adjusting leave based on service length — the entitlement increases significantly with service.
- Not paying for unused leave on termination — this is a statutory requirement.
How annual leave increases
Annual leave increases with length of service. The jumps are significant: 14 days (under 5 years), 21 days (5–10 years), 28 days (10–20 years), and 35 days (over 20 years).
Annual leave pay
Annual leave pay is based on the employee's normal remuneration, including regular allowances and supplements.
Frequently asked questions
Can annual leave be carried forward?
Unused annual leave must be taken within the calendar year. Carry-over is permitted only by agreement.
Sources
This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.