Types of Leave in UAE for Employees
Understanding the different types of leave under UAE Labour Law is important for employers, HR teams, and employees. Leave entitlements affect payroll calculations, attendance records, policy drafting, and overall labour compliance. For businesses, applying the correct leave rules helps reduce disputes and improves workforce planning.
In the UAE private sector, employees may be entitled to different kinds of leave depending on their service period, reason for leave, and supporting documents where required. Employers should make sure leave policies and payroll treatment are aligned with the law.
Employees who have completed more than six months and less than one year of service are entitled to two days of leave per month. After completing one year of service, the employee is entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave each year. Annual leave is one of the main statutory leave entitlements in the UAE private sector. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
After completing probation, an employee may take up to 90 days of sick leave per year, subject to the applicable rules and medical evidence where required. The usual structure is 15 days at full pay, 30 days at half pay, and 45 days unpaid. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Female employees in the UAE private sector are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, including 45 days at full pay and 15 days at half pay. Where medical circumstances justify it, additional leave treatment may also apply under the law. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Private-sector employees are entitled to five working days of paid parental leave, which may be taken within six months of the child’s birth. This leave supports family care and early child bonding. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Employees may be granted special leave to complete Hajj for up to 30 days. This leave is generally unpaid and is granted once during employment. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Employees are entitled to compassionate or bereavement leave in case of death of close family members. The private-sector entitlement is generally five days for the death of a spouse and three days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
An employee who has completed two years of service with the employer may be entitled to 10 days of study leave per year to attend examinations, provided the employee is studying at a certified educational institution in the UAE. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Employees in the UAE private sector are also entitled to official public holidays declared by the government. These are separate from annual leave and should be treated according to the relevant holiday announcements and labour rules. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Workers in the private sector are entitled to at least one paid weekly rest day. Employers may give additional rest days depending on company policy and work arrangements. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Unpaid leave may be granted by mutual agreement between the employer and employee. While this is not a fixed statutory entitlement like annual or sick leave, it may be used in practice where both parties agree on extended time off. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
A separate and more recent development applies to certain Dubai government employees. Under Dubai Decree No. 31 of 2025, eligible UAE national employees of Dubai government entities may receive 10 working days of fully paid marriage leave, subject to the conditions in the decree. This is not a general private-sector leave entitlement under UAE Labour Law and should be treated separately. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Managing leave correctly is important for payroll accuracy, employee entitlement tracking, and labour compliance. Payroll Middle East supports businesses with payroll administration, leave tracking, and HR outsourcing services to help employers apply leave rules more accurately and efficiently.
If your business needs support with leave policy implementation, payroll setup, or day-to-day HR administration, our team can assist you.