Article 23 of Decree-Law No. 15 of 1979 concerning the Civil Service

An employee may not absent himself from work except within the limits of the leave authorized for him. Article 23 bis (1) Annual leave shall be for thirty-five days per year, increased to forty-five days for an employee who has spent not less than fifteen years in State service. Weekly rest days and official holidays falling within the annual leave entitlement shall not be included in calculating the duration of that leave. Annual leave may not be granted until six months have elapsed from the date of assuming work, and the salary for the annual leave entitlement shall be paid when it is taken.