This article is on vacation as time off. For the movie, see National Lampoon's Vacation. For the Go Go's album/song see Vacation (album). Vacation is a term used in English speaking North America to describe time away from work or school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip away from home. In the rest of the English-speaking world the word "holiday" is used. In Canada both terms are widely used. In England the word vacation referred specifically to the long summer break taken by the law courts (and later universities) - a custom introduced by William the Conqueror from Normandy where it was intended to facilitate the grape harvest. The French term is similar to the American English: "Les Vacances". The term derives from the fact that, in the past, upper-class families would literally move to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant. Most countries around the world have labor laws mandating a certain number of days of time off per year to be given to a worker. In Canada the legal minimum is two weeks, while in most of Europe the limit is significantly higher. Many American companies give only one week, and then frequently only after completion of a year of employment. In modern employment practice, vacation days are usually coupled with sick time, official holidays, and sometimes personal days. Americans and Canadians may also use the word "holiday", especially those of recent British or European descent. Minimum vacation time around the world Country legally required Argentina 12 calendar days Australia Not required, but 4 weeks is standard Austria 5 weeks, for elderly employees 6 weeks The Bahamas 2 weeks after 1 year employment, 3 weeks after 5 years employment Belgium 20 days, premium pay Brazil 30 consecutive days Bulgaria 20 business days Canada 10 working days, determined by provincial law Chile 15 working days China Not required Czech Republic 4 weeks Colombia 2 weeks European Union 4 weeks, more in some countries Ecuador 2 weeks Finland 5 weeks France 5 weeks (30 "workable" days, i.e. Mo to Sa, even if the working week is Mo to Fri) Germany 24 working days, plus 9 to 13 bank holidays Hong Kong 7 days Hungary 20 working days Israel 14 days Japan including sick leave: 18 days paid time off; officially, five weeks (in reaction to the karoshi problem) Korea, South 10 working days Mexico 1 week Netherlands 4 weeks New Zealand 4 weeks as of April 1, 2007 Norway 25 working days Paraguay 2 weeks Peru 2 weeks Puerto Rico 15 days Saudi Arabia 15 days Singapore 7 days South Africa 21 consecutive days Spain 30 calendar days Sweden 5 weeks Switzerland 4 weeks Taiwan 7 days Turkey 12 work days Tunisia 30 work days Ukraine 24 calendar days United Kingdom 20 calendar days, plus 8 bank holidays United States Not required, but 7-21 days is standard for most employers. Typically, 10 working days. Uruguay 2 weeks Venezuela 15 paid days See also Tourism Furlough List of popular tourist regions Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Vacation Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacation" Categories: Tourism