Minors' annual leave shortens on 01.01.2027: 28 calendar days instead of 35

On 01.01.2027 § 56 of the Employment Contracts Act (töölepingu seadus, TLS), under which a minor employee's annual leave is 35 calendar days, ceases to apply [1]. Minors will be subject to the general basic leave, which under TLS § 55 is 28 calendar days [2] [3].

What changes

• TLS § 56 (in force until 31.12.2026): „Eeldatakse, et alaealise töötaja iga-aastane puhkus on 35 kalendripäeva (alaealise põhipuhkus), kui töötaja ja tööandja ei ole leppinud kokku pikemas põhipuhkuses või kui seadus ei sätesta teisiti.“ (translation: the annual leave of a minor employee is presumed to be 35 calendar days (minor's basic leave) unless the employee and the employer have agreed on longer basic leave or the law provides otherwise) [1]
• TLS § 55 stays the same: „Eeldatakse, et töötaja iga-aastane puhkus on 28 kalendripäeva (põhipuhkus), kui töötaja ja tööandja ei ole leppinud kokku pikemas põhipuhkuses või kui seadus ei sätesta teisiti.“ (translation: an employee's annual leave is presumed to be 28 calendar days (basic leave) unless the employee and the employer have agreed on longer basic leave or the law provides otherwise) [2]. According to the explanatory memorandum, the consequence of repealing § 56 is that „alaealise töötaja iga-aastase põhipuhkuse pikkus lüheneb seitsme päeva võrra, seniselt 35 kalendripäevalt 28 kalendripäevale aastas“ (translation: the length of a minor employee's annual basic leave is shortened by seven days, from 35 to 28 calendar days a year) [3].
• TLS § 66 lg 1: previously „Puhkusetasu käesoleva seaduse §-des 56 ja 57 ettenähtud põhipuhkuse 28 kalendripäeva ületava osa eest hüvitatakse kuni seitsme kalendripäeva ulatuses riigieelarvest.“ (translation: holiday pay for the part of basic leave under §§ 56 and 57 exceeding 28 calendar days is reimbursed from the state budget for up to seven calendar days) [4] → now „Puhkusetasu käesoleva seaduse §-s 57 ettenähtud põhipuhkuse 28 kalendripäeva ületava osa eest hüvitatakse kuni seitsme kalendripäeva ulatuses riigieelarvest.“ (translation: the same, for basic leave under § 57 only) [5]. The reference to minors' leave disappears.
• According to the explanatory memorandum, the aim is „rakendada alaealiste töötajate suhtes võrdsuse printsiipi“ (translation: to apply the principle of equality to minor employees), and the longer basic leave could limit minors' opportunities to gain work experience [3].

Who is affected

Minor employees and their employers [1] [3].

What to do

1. Employers: from 01.01.2027 plan minors' holidays on the basis of the basic leave under TLS § 55 [2] [3]. According to the explanatory memorandum, the previous basic leave of 35 calendar days applies to minors until 31.12.2026 [3]. Basic leave is granted for time worked, and any unused part is carried over to the next calendar year (TLS § 68) [6]; leave for time a minor worked in 2026 is therefore still calculated on the basis of 35 calendar days, even if it is taken in 2027.
2. Longer basic leave is still possible by agreement: under TLS § 55, 28 calendar days is the presumption where the employee and the employer have not agreed on longer basic leave [2]. According to the explanatory memorandum, the employer may agree more favourable terms with a minor employee, „nähes ette seaduses kehtestatud alammäärast pikema põhipuhkuse“ (translation: providing for basic leave longer than the statutory minimum) [3].
3. Review minors' employment contracts: where longer basic leave has been agreed, the agreement applies [2].