Assumptions and pay data
- NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, section 13.1: 27 days on appointment, 29 after 5 years' service and 33 after 10, plus 8 general public holidays. Section 12.1 counts continuous service with any NHS employer, and 12.4 counts earlier NHS service when you come back.
- Under AfC, full time is 37.5 hours a week, so a full-time leave day is 7.5 hours (a fifth of the week) and 27 days is 202.5 hours.
- Part-time: annual leave and public holidays are pro-rated by your contracted hours against 37.5 (13.6 and 13.7). AfC rounds part-time public holidays up to the nearest half day.
- NHS Wales staff get one more day of annual leave on appointment (13.1.1); the calculator shows the England figures.
Annual Leave Calculator
EnglandNHS Agenda for Change employersFramework from 1/4/2026
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Guide for Paramedic
This guide summarises contractual annual leave for Paramedic under NHS Agenda for Change at NHS. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted hours.
Annual leave for Paramedic
As Paramedic at NHS, annual leave usually follows NHS Agenda for Change. A full-time employee with around three years' service might receive about 27 days (203 hours at typical full-time hours) per year, before pro-rating for part-time hours. Bank holiday treatment varies; check whether they are included in the stated total. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted weekly hours.
Example scenario
Example at 2 years' service and 37.5 hours a week: 27 days plus 8 general public holidays, the Agenda for Change rate
| Sector terms (example) | NHS Agenda for Change |
|---|---|
| Years of service (example) | 2 |
| Annual leave days (example) | 27 |
| Hours (full-time example) | 203 |
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do NHS staff on Agenda for Change get?
27 days a year plus 8 general public holidays when you start, 29 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10. That is 35, 37 and 41 days off in total.
Does service with another NHS employer count?
Yes. Section 12.1 counts continuous service with any NHS employer towards annual leave, and 12.4 counts earlier NHS service if you come back after a break. Your employer can also choose to count relevant service outside the NHS (12.2).
How is part-time leave worked out?
In proportion to your hours. At 22.5 hours a week (60% of 37.5), 27 days becomes 16.2 days, or 121.5 hours: 27 days at your own day length of 4.5 hours. Public holidays work the same way: 4.8 days, or 36 hours. AfC rounds part-time public holidays up to the nearest half day (13.6), so 4.8 becomes 5 days.
I work 12-hour shifts. How is my leave counted?
In hours. Where shifts are not 7.5 hours long, AfC works out annual leave and public holidays in hours (13.5). Full time, 27 days is 202.5 hours, which is about 16.9 shifts of 12 hours.
What if I start or leave part way through the year?
Open “Pro-rate to part of the year” and enter the months in this period. Your trust's leave year and rounding rules decide the exact figure.
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About this role
What is a Paramedic?
A Paramedic is a registered healthcare professional who provides urgent and emergency care, often in ambulances, at scene or in emergency departments. They assess, treat and stabilise patients and work to protocols and clinical guidelines. Most registered paramedic posts in England are Agenda for Change Band 6; some newly qualified or transitional posts may be Band 5.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Paramedicine offers variety, autonomy and clear impact on patients. Pay and satisfaction depend on trust, role (e.g. critical care) and location. Progression to advanced practice, education or management is common.
What is my annual leave entitlement?
Use the figures on this page for your sector’s leave rules, including pro-rata for part-time where that applies. Teachers under STPCD use directed time and school holidays instead of a separate leave pot. Always check your contract or school calendar for exact dates.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.