11 Countries That Use the Most Vacation Days

Check out the top countries with the most vacation days and see how your paid time off compares to workers around the world.

By: Deanne Revel

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Brazil

Americans aren’t taking enough vacation. According to the U.S. Travel Association, U.S. workers took an average of 17.2 vacation days in 2017. That may sound like a lot but it’s nearly half the vacation time that workers in other countries enjoy. In a 2017 survey, Expedia explored the average amount of vacation days offered and how many of those days workers take from countries around the world. Leading the pack, Brazil offers an average of 30 days and workers take an average of 30 days. That’s an entire month of vacation! Click through to see 10 more countries that offer the most and use the most vacation days.

Finland

Like Brazil, companies in Finland offer 30 days of paid vacation on average, and workers in Finland take 30 days of paid vacation. Translation: If you got 'em, use 'em. Finnish culture supports using your days for travel and wellness such as the famed Finnish spas.

France

France also offers 30 days on average and workers take 30 days on average. Most people use their vacation time to go on holiday during the month of August. It’s good to know that when traveling through the country--especially less urban areas--because many restaurants and businesses close during this month.

Germany

Like others, Germany offers 30 vacation days and workers take 30 vacation days on average. If we lived in Germany and had those many days, we’d spend it at the Tropical Islands Resort, the largest indoor water park in the world. The massive park includes a beach with huts, tons of water slides and even a hot air balloon you can ride indoors.

Spain

Spain is the last frontrunner in the roundup to offer 30 days of paid vacation with workers also taking an average of 30 days of paid vacation. And it’s easy to see why. From the mountains of Catalonia to the beaches with prime surf conditions to the arts of Madrid to the delicious Sangria, there’s so much to scratch off the bucket list in this country.

Denmark

Companies in Denmark offer 30 days of paid vacation on average, but workers in the country take around 28 of those days. Still, that’s the entire month of February out of the office!

United Arab Emirates

While most of the frontrunners in this roundup are from Europe, one country from the Middle East made the list. Companies in the United Arab Emirates offer 30 days of paid vacation on average and workers take around 27 days.

Sweden

On average, Sweden offers 28 days and workers take around 25 days of vacation. A lot of those days are used in June for Midsummer. In Sweden, this holiday celebrating the longest day of the year is second only to Christmas in popularity and includes cooking out, wearing a flower crown and drinking a lot. It’s most common to celebrate in the country at summer homes or outdoor parks, so if you visit Sweden during this time, businesses and attractions in the cities may be closed for the celebrations.

Austria

While Austria only offers 25 days of paid vacation, workers take those 25 days of paid vacation. Again, the idea is that if you got 'em, use 'em!

Norway

Norway also offers 25 days on average and workers take the same amount on average. The religious holiday Easter is very important in Norway and workers don’t have to take time off for it as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and even the Monday after Easter are offered as public holidays. If you’re visiting Norway during the week around Easter, businesses, museums and attractions may be closed for the holiday.

Switzerland

Like Austria and Norway, Switzerland also offers 25 days of paid vacation time and workers take 25 days on average. And not all of those days are spent hitting the slopes. Swiss National Day is celebrated on August 1 each year with special brunches, parades, bonfires and fireworks.

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11 Countries That Use the Most Vacation Days

Related To:

Shop This Look

Brazil

Finland

France

Germany

Spain

Denmark

United Arab Emirates

Sweden

Austria

Norway

Switzerland

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