Do vacations expire? Here's what the LFT says about the time limit for taking them.

MEXICO CITY (apro)— Mexico's Federal Labor Law (LFT) establishes specific deadlines for workers to exercise their right to vacation . When vacation time is not taken within these deadlines, the worker may lose the ability to legally claim it.

Articles 76 to 81 of the LFT, most recently amended on February 21, 2025, determine the terms and obligations of both employers and employees.

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Deadlines imposed by the LFT for granting vacations

The LFT mandates that workers with more than one year of service receive paid vacation time with a minimum of 12 working days.

A reform known as "Vacaciones Dignas" (Decent Vacations), published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 2022, and effective January 1, 2023, established that this minimum 12-day period applies to those who have completed one year of seniority.

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Employer's obligation: six months to grant vacation

Article 81 of the LFT requires that the employer grant vacation days within six months of completing one year of service.

In addition, the employer must provide the employee with a certificate each year stating their seniority, the vacation period to which they are entitled, and the date of their vacation.

Are vacations lost if they are not taken on time?

Yes. According to Article 81, if the employer does not grant vacation time within six months after completing one year of service, the employee has an additional period to claim it.

This additional period is equivalent to one more year, so there are a total of 18 months from the date the employee completed their year of service to claim their vacation pay and the corresponding bonus . If they don't do so within those 18 months, they legally lose the right to claim it.

Key elements of “Decent Vacations” that impact expiration and enjoyment

The reform extended the minimum vacation days , and requires that at least twelve days be taken in a continuous period.

The law prohibits the employer from substituting vacation days for financial compensation , unless the employment relationship ends.

What a worker who has not taken his vacation should know

• You have the right to receive your vacation from your employer within six months of completing one year.
• If this deadline is not met, the worker can claim them in the following twelve months.
• After the total of 18 months (six plus twelve) have elapsed, the worker no longer has legal recourse to claim back those unused vacations.