UAE Annual Leave Rules for Private Sector Employees
The UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) sets minimum annual leave for private-sector employees. Your contract can give more, but not less.
How many days?
| Service | Annual leave |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | Not yet entitled |
| 6 months to 1 year | 2 days for each month of service |
| After 1 year | 30 calendar days per year |
Part-time employees get leave in proportion to the hours they work.
Key rules
- The employer can set the leave schedule based on work needs, and should notify you in advance.
- Public holidays or sick leave that fall during annual leave are generally counted as part of the leave unless your contract or policy says otherwise.
- With the employer's agreement, you can carry forward unused leave to the next year.
- You are paid your wage during annual leave.
Unused leave when you leave the job
If your employment ends and you have unused leave, you are entitled to payment for those days. This is usually calculated on basic salary: basic ÷ 30 × unused days. For example, with a basic salary of AED 4,500 and 12 unused days: 4,500 ÷ 30 × 12 = AED 1,800. Make sure it appears on your final settlement.
Other types of leave
- Sick leave: up to 90 days a year after probation, with the first 15 days on full pay, the next 30 days on half pay and the rest unpaid.
- Maternity leave: 60 days (45 days full pay, 15 days half pay).
- Parental leave: 5 working days within six months of a child's birth.
- Bereavement leave: 5 days for a spouse, 3 days for a parent, child, sibling or grandparent.
اردو خلاصہ
یو اے ای میں ایک سال کے بعد ہر سال 30 دن کی چھٹی ملتی ہے۔ چھ ماہ سے ایک سال کے درمیان ہر ماہ کے لیے 2 دن۔ نوکری ختم ہونے پر باقی چھٹیوں کے پیسے ملنے چاہئیں، جو عام طور پر بیسک تنخواہ پر بنتے ہیں۔
Also check your UAE gratuity and overtime pay.