NHS Annual Leave Calculator 2026/27 | Agenda for Change UK
Your Annual Leave Calculation
Entitlement Breakdown
Balance Calculation
How to Use This NHS Annual Leave Calculator
This calculator is designed to help NHS staff in the UK quickly work out their annual leave and public holiday entitlement. Whether you work full-time, part-time, or varied shifts, it handles the complex pro-rata math for you.
To get started, you only need to know:
- Your contracted weekly hours.
- Your NHS continuous service band (e.g., 0 to 4 years).
- Your leave year dates (usually April to March).
- Your standard shift length.
What This Calculator Works Out
By entering your details securely into your browser, this tool will accurately calculate:
- Annual leave entitlement: Pro-rated based on your hours or part-year service.
- Public holiday entitlement: Adjusted fairly for part-time staff.
- Remaining balance: Deducting any leave you have already taken or booked.
- Shift equivalents: Translating your hourly allowance back into approximate shifts.
How Your Leave is Calculated
Base Entitlement
Your continuous NHS service band determines your base days (27, 29, or 33).
Pro-Rata Application
If you work part-time, your allowance is scaled based on your contracted weekly hours comparison.
Conversion to Hours
Days are converted into total hours for fairness, allowing you to deduct different shift lengths effectively.
NHS Agenda for Change Annual Leave Entitlement Table
| Reckonable Service | Annual Leave | Public Holidays | Total Days | Total Hours (37.5h basis) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years | 27 days | 8 days | 35 days | 262.5 hours |
| 5 to 9 years | 29 days | 8 days | 37 days | 277.5 hours |
| 10 plus years | 33 days | 8 days | 41 days | 307.5 hours |
How NHS Part-Time Annual Leave Is Calculated
If you work part-time, your leave is worked out proportionately (pro-rata) compared to a full-time worker. This ensures fairness across all contract types.
The core formula is:
(Your weekly hours ÷ Full-time weekly hours) × Full-time leave entitlement
For example, if you have 3 years of service (27 days standard leave) and work 22.5 hours a week:
(22.5 ÷ 37.5) × 27 days = 16.2 days.
Why NHS Annual Leave Is Often Shown in Hours
In practice, many NHS staff find their leave easier to manage in hours, especially when they work part-time, compressed hours, or long shifts. When leave is calculated in days, taking a 12-hour shift off would technically cost more than one 'standard' 7.5-hour day. Converting everything into a unified pot of hours is the standard way NHS trusts and systems like ESR and HealthRoster ensure that everyone receives their correct allowance fairly, regardless of shift patterns.
Bank Holidays and Public Holidays
For the 2026/27 leave year, England and Wales use 8 bank/public holidays, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may differ because local public holiday arrangements can vary. Please check your Trust or Board policy before relying on the final result.
Common NHS Annual Leave Scenarios
Full-time Staff
Calculates standard days converted into a 37.5-hour week baseline.
Part-time Staff
Handles pro-rata reductions fairly, converting the total into hours for accuracy.
Mid-year Starter
Calculates exact calendar days between your start date and the end of the leave year.
Long Shift Worker
Converts your total hours budget into the number of actual shifts you can take off.
Carry-over Leave
Allows adding untaken leave from the previous year, in either hours or days.
Service Anniversary
Splits your leave year calculation perfectly across your band change date.
Important Notes Before You Rely on the Result
This calculator provides a highly accurate estimate based on standard national frameworks. However, local NHS Trust or Board policies can and do differ. If you are a resident doctor, medical, dental, executive, bank, agency, or local contract worker, different rules usually apply. Always confirm your final, official entitlement with your line manager, HR team, ESR, HealthRoster, or local policy document.
FAQs
How many days annual leave do NHS staff get?
Under standard Agenda for Change rules, full-time staff receive 27 days upon joining, 29 days after 5 years, and 33 days after 10 years, plus public holidays.
How much annual leave do I get after 5 years in the NHS?
Staff with 5 to 9 years of continuous NHS service are entitled to 29 days of annual leave per year, plus public holidays, based on full-time hours.
How much annual leave do I get after 10 years in the NHS?
Staff with 10 or more years of continuous service are entitled to 33 days of annual leave per year, plus public holidays, based on full-time hours.
How is NHS annual leave calculated for part-time staff?
It is calculated pro-rata. Your contracted weekly hours are divided by the full-time equivalent (usually 37.5), and that percentage is multiplied by the full-time leave allowance.
Are NHS bank holidays included in annual leave?
Public holiday entitlement is additional to standard annual leave, but for part-time and shift workers, both allowances are usually combined into a single total hours budget.
Why is my NHS leave shown in hours?
Displaying leave in hours is fairer for staff working non-standard days (like 12-hour shifts) or varied rotas, preventing inequalities that arise from calculating in flat days.
Can I calculate annual leave if I start part way through the year?
Yes. The calculator uses a partial year factor based on the exact calendar days from your start date until the end of the leave year.
What if my NHS service anniversary happens during the leave year?
Your entitlement is split. The days before the anniversary are calculated at your old band, and the days after are calculated at your new band. Our advanced tool handles this split automatically.
Can I use this for 12-hour shifts?
Yes. By entering your required shift length, the calculator will tell you exactly how many 12-hour shifts your total hours allowance covers.
Can resident doctors use this calculator?
While the calculator can estimate hours based on custom inputs, resident doctors often have different contract rules (like the BMA 2016 contract). You should always check local lead employer guidance.