[physicsguy]

This one I always found super weird, because typically in Europe you just can't carry days over beyond the current year, so that argument for it never really held. Or at least, not many, my current employer lets me roll over 5 but they have to be used by 1st March.

In the UK we're typically by law entitled to 25 days inc. bank (i.e. public) holidays, but most 'professional' jobs will give you at least 25 days plus bank holidays giving a total of ~33ish days per year of leave. When one of the bank holidays would fall on a weekend (e.g. Christmas Day) then it's transferred to the Monday following. Very very occasionally, there are additional bank holidays added e.g. for the Royal Wedding in 2011 one was created.

Often companies will give you a few more days after a number of years of service e.g. an additional 4 days after 5 years. Public sector jobs are usually more generous again e.g. 32 days + bank holidays plus some 'closure' days meaning ~42ish days of leave.

[aa-jv]

In Austria, they roll over. I recently changed jobs and cashed in my unused vacation days to cover the expenses during the transition. It worked very well, and my previous employer was happy that I stayed during the entire switch period instead of just taking 2 months of vacation days. They had no issues paying those days out, because it meant I stayed in the chair longer to train my replacements.

[piva00]

In Sweden it's allowed to carry over 5 days (or maybe more depending on the collective agreements, a bit hazy on that) from the previous year, for a maximum of 5 years. So if you save 5 days every year by year 5 you can take 25 additional days off.

I wish more European countries relocated holidays to the closest Fri/Mon, I know that Ireland the UK do it, it's such a drag when most holidays fall on a Sat/Sun...