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Frequently Asked Questions
How many days annual leave do NHS staff get?
Under Agenda for Change (Section 13), NHS staff receive 27 days on appointment, rising to 29 days after 5 years of NHS service and 33 days after 10 years. Bank holidays (8 in England & Wales, 9 in Scotland, 10 in Northern Ireland) are added on top under Model A.
Does Scotland have different NHS leave entitlement?
The AfC entitlement tiers (27/29/33 days) are the same across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, Scotland's standard working week reduced from 37.5 to 36 hours on 1 April 2026 under PCS(AFC)2025/6. Scotland also has 9 public holidays compared to 8 in England & Wales. Both factors affect how your entitlement converts to hours.
What counts as reckonable NHS service?
Reckonable service is continuous NHS employment, including service with any NHS employer (not just your current trust). Previous NHS employment may count if there was no break of more than 12 months. Check your payslip or contract — your trust's HR department can confirm your reckonable service date.
How is NHS pro-rata leave calculated?
Pro-rata entitlement is calculated using the calendar-day method: your full entitlement × (days employed in the leave year ÷ total days in the leave year), always rounded up to the nearest half day. For example, a band 5 nurse joining on 1 October in an April–March leave year would receive approximately half of their annual entitlement.