North Macedonia Employment Guide

Paid Time Off Regulations in North Macedonia

North Macedonia's employment legislation provides clear guidelines for paid time off (PTO) entitlements. Full-time employees are entitled to 20 working days of PTO annually, while part-time workers receive a minimum of 10 days. This entitlement accrues monthly at a rate of 1.66 days.

For employees without prior work experience, there's a 6-month waiting period before PTO can be utilized, unless mutually agreed otherwise with the employer. Experienced workers may negotiate earlier access to their vacation days. Notably, labor law mandates that all employees must take at least two consecutive weeks of vacation each calendar year.

National and Regional Public Holidays

North Macedonia observes 12 national public holidays throughout the year, supplemented by 5 regional holidays that vary by location. This structure allows for cultural and regional diversity while maintaining national cohesion.

Complete List of National Holidays

1. New Year's Day (January 1-2)
2. Orthodox Christmas
3. Orthodox Easter Monday
4. Eid al-Fitr (Islamic holiday)
5. International Labor Day (May 1)
6. Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
7. Ilinden Day (Republic Day)
8. Independence Day
9. Revolution Day (People's Uprising Day)
10. Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle
11. Saint Clement of Ohrid Day

Practical Implementation for International Employers

Companies like SailGlobal often implement hybrid models that combine statutory requirements with additional benefits. For multinational organizations, understanding regional variations is crucial—for instance, businesses operating in multiple regions must account for different regional holiday schedules when planning operations.

Best practices include creating comprehensive leave policies that clearly outline accrual rates, eligibility criteria, and procedures for holiday substitutions where legally permissible. Many successful international companies integrate local requirements with global HR frameworks to ensure compliance while maintaining operational efficiency.