Mexico Updates Vacation Law: What “Vacaciones Dignas” Means for You

On December 27, 2022, the Mexican President, Andrės Manuel Lopez Obrader, signed a bill into the Official Gazette of the Federation(opens in a new tab) mandating an increase to the number of vacation days that all Mexican workers in the private sector receive to at least 12 days of vacation time after one year of continuous service.

The Mexican Senate first approved this new legislation on November 3, 2022, but it took a month for it to officially become part of the Federal Labour Law. 

What is Vacaciones Dignas? 

This new law, known as Vacaciones Dignas, changes Articles 76 and 78 of the Federal Labour Law by giving private sector workers more vacation days. The number of vacation days increases with each year of continuous employment.

Previously, the minimum number of vacation days for private sector employees in Mexico was six. 

The new law doubles the minimum number of vacation days.

Why the change? 

This legislation was first introduced in April, 2022 by the Movimiento Ciudadano Party(opens in a new tab). The group advocated for more vacation time, since Mexican labor laws required the lowest number of paid vacation days in Latin America. Many activists see this change as a significant improvement for human and labor rights in the country. 

After evaluation, the Mexican Senate agreed to give workers in the private sector more vacation time to boost morale and align with the ever-evolving push towards human rights for workers. 

This addition is the first major change to vacation time since 1970. 

How does Vacaciones Dignas impact contractors?

This law does not have any impact on contractors.

How do employers calculate vacation time? 

After the first year of continuous employment, full-time employees will receive 12 vacation days, as opposed to six. 

Once the first year has passed, full-time workers will receive an additional two days of vacation each year, for the next five years, until the employee reaches 20 days of vacation. 

From the sixth year onward, the number of vacation days increases by two days for every five years of service. 

Information about vacation days should always be included in the employment contract.

• Year 1 = 12 Days of Vacation

• Year 2 = 14 Days of Vacation

• Year 3 = 16 Days of Vacation

• Year 4 = 18 Days of Vacation

• Year 5 = 20 Days of Vacation

• Years 6-10 = 22 Days of Vacation

• Years 11-15 = 24 Days of Vacation

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FAQ

When did the new vacation legislation go into effect in Mexico? 

The new legislation went into effect January 1, 2023. All employees will get 12 days after one year of service, instead of the previous mandatory six days of vacation time. 

How many vacation days will workers receive under the new law? 

Workers will receive 12 days off under the new law after their first year of service. Following the first year, they will receive two additional days for five years of continuous service, until they reach 20 vacation days. After the sixth year, the number of vacation days will increase by two days every five years. 

How are vacation days changing in Mexico?? 

Vacation days in Mexico changed from six days to 12 days. 

How many days of vacation do I get under the new law? 

Under the new law, workers in Mexico will receive 12 continuous vacation days off per year. They will receive an additional two days each year for five years, until they reach 20 vacation days. After the sixth year, the number of vacation days will increase by two days every five years.