Norway here: This isn't completely right.

We have a right to minimum 20 days off every year, however they're not paid the first year. Every year, you "earn up" next years vacation. When you switch jobs, the job you're leaving will typically pay out your outstanding vacation money. To take an example:

• Year 1 (job A): 20 days off (0 paid)
• Year 2 (job A): 20 days off (20 paid by job A)
• Year 3 (job A/B): Switch jobs to job B, get 20 days of pay from job A when leaving. 20 days off (0 paid by job B).
• Year 4 (job B): 20 days off (20 paid by job B).

This effectively means that the only year in your life when you will be without 20 days paid vacation is your first year of employment.

Also, there are some minimum requirements regarding how much vacation you have to take, but you're not required to take out all 20 days (as your post seemed to indicate).

All the above of course applies outside of public holidays, which are always paid.