In Chile, employees are entitled to 15 working days (three weeks) of paid annual leave (feriado legal) per year under the Labour Code (Código del Trabajo). After 10 years of service with the same employer, the entitlement increases by one day for every three additional years of service.

Statutory entitlement

15 working days (3 weeks) of annual leave per year. After 10 years of service with the same employer: additional one day for every three years of service.

Eligibility

All employees are entitled to annual leave after one year of service.

Employer obligations

  • Grant 15 working days of paid annual leave per year.
  • Pay the employee's normal remuneration during annual leave.
  • Pay for unused annual leave on termination of employment.
  • Allow the employee to take annual leave within the calendar year.

Employee rights

  • Right to 15 working days of annual leave.
  • Right to increased leave after 10 years of service.
  • Right to be paid at normal remuneration during annual leave.
  • Right to paid leave payout on termination.

Common pitfalls

  • Not increasing leave after 10 years — the entitlement increases by one day for every three additional years.
  • Not paying for unused leave on termination — this is a statutory requirement.

How annual leave increases

After 10 years of service with the same employer, employees earn one additional day of leave for every three years of service, up to a maximum.

Frequently asked questions

Can annual leave be carried forward?

Unused annual leave can be carried forward by mutual 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.