Paid annual leave is the right of every salaried employee in Israel — but few people know exactly how many days they are owed, or how those days accrue. This guide sets it out with the updated tables.
Disclosure: Educational information only. Rules are updated — verify with the Ministry of Labour or Kol Zchut. Any action you take is your own responsibility.
What annual leave is
Annual leave is a paid rest period due to every employee each year under the Annual Leave Law. The employer is obliged to permit it, and the employee is entitled to full pay during leave days. The number of days grows with seniority.
How many days (a five-day working week)
| Seniority (years) | Net leave days per year |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | 12 |
| 6–8 | 17 |
| 9 onward | 23 (rising gradually) |
A six-day working week
| Seniority (years) | Net leave days per year |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | 14 |
| rising gradually | up to 24 from year 13 |
Young workers are entitled to 18 calendar days. These figures are updated periodically — verify with the Ministry of Labour.
What "net days" means
The tables state net leave days — the actual working days you are on leave, excluding weekends. That is the difference between gross calendar leave days and net days.
When checking your payslip, confirm that the leave accrual shown matches your seniority. This is where discrepancies most often hide.
Accrual and redemption
Unused leave days accrue, but the law limits how many can be banked, generally up to a ceiling of around two to three years' worth.
On leaving employment, accrued unused leave days are paid out in redemption — you receive money for them. That is precisely why tracking the balance on your payslip matters.
Common mistakes
1. Not tracking the leave balance on the payslip.
2. Accruing beyond the ceiling — excess days can simply be lost.
3. Forgetting redemption at the end of employment. Money is owed to you for accrued days.
Summary
Annual leave is a right that grows with seniority, and it is worth money even if never taken, through redemption on leaving. Track the balance on your payslip, avoid accruing beyond the ceiling, and make sure you receive what you are owed. See more in employee rights. We provide the knowledge — the claiming is in your hands.
The information on this page is for educational purposes. Please consult a professional before making financial decisions.
Contact an advisor →