NHS Annual Leave Calculator & Entitlement 2026/27
Calculate your NHS annual leave allowance under Agenda for Change terms — including pro-rata for part-time staff and bank holidays. Based on 2026/27 entitlements.
Calculate your entitlement
NHS annual leave entitlement 2026/27 (Agenda for Change)
Full-time (37.5 hours/week) entitlement by length of NHS service. Bank holidays are added on top.
| Length of service | Days | Hours | Bank holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 27 days | 202.5 hrs | + 8 |
| 5 to 10 years | 29 days | 217.5 hrs | + 8 |
| Over 10 years | 33 days | 247.5 hrs | + 8 |
Common NHS annual leave questions
How much NHS annual leave do you get after 10 years?
After 10 years of NHS service you get 33 days (247.5 hours) a year for full-time staff, plus 8 bank holidays. Part-time staff get this pro rata to their hours.
How is NHS annual leave worked out in hours?
Multiply your days by 7.5 for full-time staff. Part-time: (your weekly hours ÷ 37.5) × full-time days × (your weekly hours ÷ 5). For example, 22.5 hours with 27 days = 16.2 days or 72.9 hours.
How do I calculate NHS annual leave when leaving?
Take your yearly entitlement, multiply by the months worked in the leave year ÷ 12, then subtract leave already taken. Use the "months worked" option above to get your figure.
How does NHS annual leave work with 12-hour shifts?
Leave is held in hours, not days. Each 12-hour shift you take off uses 12 hours of your balance, and an 11.5-hour long day uses 11.5 hours. For example, a full-timer with 27 days plus 8 bank holidays has 262.5 hours — about 21.9 twelve-hour shifts. Choose your shift length above to see your own figure.
When does NHS annual leave reset?
Most NHS trusts run the leave year from 1 April to 31 March. Some use your start date or birthday month instead, so check your trust's policy.
How much NHS annual leave can I carry over?
Under Agenda for Change, staff can usually carry over up to 5 days (37.5 hours for full-time, pro rata for part-time) with their manager's agreement. Add any carried-over hours above to see your true balance.
Do bank holidays differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. England and Wales have 8 bank holidays, Scotland usually 9 and Northern Ireland 10. Pick where you work above and the calculator fills this in for you. Your trust may use different local holidays.
Does previous NHS service count towards more leave?
Yes. Reckonable service with any NHS employer counts towards the 5-year (29 days) and 10-year (33 days) steps, usually including breaks of up to 12 months. Some trusts also count relevant non-NHS service.
How we calculate your entitlement
This calculator uses the exact formula set out in Section 13 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, the official document governing Agenda for Change employment in England.
Pro-rata formula:
Annual Leave (days) = (Contracted Hours ÷ 37.5) × Full-time Entitlement
Annual Leave (hours) = Annual Leave (days) × (Contracted Hours ÷ 5)
Partial Year = Annual Leave × (Months Worked ÷ 12)
The full-time equivalent is 37.5 hours per week across a 5-day working pattern. Bank holiday hours are calculated separately using the same pro-rata method. Results are rounded to one decimal place, consistent with how most NHS trusts track leave balances.
Important: This tool provides an estimate based on the national AfC framework. Individual trusts may have local policies affecting your leave — for example, some trusts offer an additional day for long service or allow carry-over of unused days. Always confirm your entitlement with your HR department.
How annual leave works
Every NHS worker — whether part-time or full-time — is entitled to paid annual leave. Your entitlement is based on your length of continuous NHS service:
On Appointment
27
days + bank holidays
0–4 years of service
After 5 Years
29
days + bank holidays
5–9 years of service
After 10 Years
33
days + bank holidays
10+ years of service
Part-time staff: Entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis. Your contracted weekly hours are divided by the full-time equivalent (37.5 hours) and multiplied by the full-time entitlement.
Bank holidays: These are in addition to your basic annual leave entitlement. Part-time workers receive a proportional bank holiday allowance based on their working pattern.
Mid-year joiners: Use the "Months to calculate" option to work out your entitlement for a partial year. The tool will calculate the fraction of your annual entitlement.
Who does this apply to?
All NHS staff in England employed under Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions. This covers most NHS roles except doctors, dentists, and very senior managers.
How is pro-rata leave calculated?
Your entitlement = (your weekly hours ÷ 37.5) × full-time days. For example, 22.5 hours/week with 27 days entitlement = 16.2 days.
Do bank holidays come from my leave?
No. Bank holidays are a separate entitlement on top of your annual leave days. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata bank holiday allowance.
What if I change hours mid-year?
Your leave should be recalculated by your employer. Use this tool with your new hours and remaining months to estimate your adjusted entitlement.
Does continuous service include breaks?
Breaks of 12 months or less between NHS employers usually count as continuous service. Breaks for maternity, adoption, or career breaks may also be protected depending on your trust's policy.
Can I carry over unused leave?
Most trusts allow limited carry-over (typically 5 days) with manager approval. During exceptional circumstances, additional carry-over may be permitted. Check your trust's local policy.
Why you can trust this tool
Official Data
Uses the exact entitlement figures published in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook.
No Data Stored
All calculations run in your browser. We never collect, store, or transmit any of your information.
Up to Date
Reflects the 2026/27 financial year entitlements as agreed nationally for Agenda for Change staff.
Editorial standards
All content on NHS Staff Tools is written and reviewed by NHS professionals with direct experience of Agenda for Change terms. We cross-reference every data point against official NHS Employers publications and HMRC guidance. If you spot an error, please let us know.
Sources & references
NHS Employers
Annual leave entitlements and Agenda for Change terms
NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook
Section 13 — Hours of work, leave and pay for part-time employees
NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)
NHS Pension Scheme membership and contribution guidance
GOV.UK
Statutory holiday entitlement and workers' rights
ACAS
Guidance on holiday entitlement and calculating leave for part-time workers
This tool is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHS England, NHS Employers, or any NHS trust. Figures are estimates — always verify with your employer.
About the author
Alex Metthow
NHS Professional · Creator of NHS Staff Tools
I built NHS Staff Tools from first-hand experience working in the NHS. After years of colleagues asking about leave entitlements, pay bands, and what their payslip actually means, I decided to create a set of free, no-nonsense tools that give instant answers based on official Agenda for Change data.
Every formula, data point, and reference in this tool is sourced directly from the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook and cross-checked against NHS Employers publications. I update the data each financial year and review the calculations regularly.
Learn more about this project