In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the entitlements for vacation leave are complex due to the country's structure. Labor laws are determined at the entity level: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS).

Annual Vacation Leave

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)

The Labor Law of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina provides the legal basis for vacation leave. Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave. No more than 30 days of leave entitlement is permitted. Employees become eligible after one year of continuous service.

Republika Srpska (RS)

The Labor Law of the Republika Srpska provides the legal basis for vacation leave. Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave, but longer durations are common. Employees become eligible after one year of continuous service.

Important Considerations

Unused leave should generally be used within the calendar year, but carrying some vacation days over to the next year may be permitted under employer policy. Collective agreements or employment contracts may provide for more generous leave entitlements than the legal minimums in both the FBiH and RS.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) celebrates a variety of national, religious, and entity-specific holidays. The observance of these holidays can differ based on whether they are recognized by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the Republika Srpska (RS), or both.

National Holidays (Observed throughout BiH)

• New Year's Day (January 1 & 2): This holiday marks the beginning of the calendar year.
• Independence Day (March 1): This day commemorates BiH's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.
• Labor Day (May 1 & 2): Also known as May Day, this holiday acknowledges the contributions of workers.
• Statehood Day (November 25): This day celebrates the first session of ZAVNOBiH (the wartime assembly) in 1943, a pivotal moment in BiH's history.

Religious Holidays

Certain religious holidays are observed in the entities where those religious groups are the majority:

• Orthodox Christmas (January 7): This holiday is observed by the Serb Orthodox community, predominantly in RS.
• Eid al-Fitr (Bajram): This holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is observed by Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), primarily in the FBIH. The dates for this holiday vary based on the Islamic calendar.
• Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bajram): This Festival of Sacrifice is observed by Bosniaks. The dates for this holiday also vary based on the Islamic calendar.

Entity-Specific Holidays

• Republika Srpska Day (January 9): This holiday is observed in RS.
• FBiH Day (March 1): This holiday is observed only within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It's important to note that when a public holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day off is often observed.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are several types of leave available to employees, each with its own set of rules and entitlements. These include annual vacation leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and other types of leave such as paternity leave, family leave, and bereavement leave.

Annual Vacation Leave

The Labor Law of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Labor Law of the Republika Srpska (RS) provide the legal basis for annual vacation leave. In FBiH, employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days paid annual leave, up to a maximum of 30. In RS, a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave is common, though longer durations are possible. Employees become eligible for this leave after one year of continuous service.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is also governed by the Labor Law of FBiH and RS. Employees are entitled to paid sick leave with compensation based on a percentage of their salary, depending on length of service. The specifics are outlined in the laws of both entities. A medical certificate is usually required to claim sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is provided for under the Labor Law of FBiH and RS. Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave, the duration of which varies slightly between the FBiH and RS. Mothers typically have the right to 1 year of leave, with a portion at full pay and the remainder at partially reduced pay. The laws in each entity outline specific eligibility criteria.

Other Types of Leave

Other types of leave include paternity leave, where spouses of a child's mother may be entitled to several days of paid leave after the birth. Family leave may be granted for urgent family matters or to care for a seriously ill family member, with specific rights and duration varying across both entities. Bereavement leave, while not always guaranteed by the labor laws, is often offered by many employers as part of their policies.

Important Considerations

Many employers offer more generous leave entitlements than the legal minimums outlined in the labor laws. It's important to consult your employment contract and company policy handbook. Collective bargaining agreements may also provide for additional leave benefits or more favorable terms.