Annual leave in the UAE: how many days you get and how it’s paid
UAE workers get 30 days' paid annual leave a year after one year of service, and 2 days a month between 6 and 12 months. Here is how leave pay, carry-over and payment for unused days work.
Contents
How many days of annual leave do you get? Calendar days or working days? What if a public holiday falls during your leave? Who decides when you take leave? How is leave pay worked out? Can you carry leave over to next year? Annual leave during probation and notice Other types of leave Frequently asked questionsSummarize with AI
Get a quick summary of this guide in your AI assistant.
Under UAE labour law, you get at least 30 days of paid annual leave each year once you have worked for one year. If you have worked more than 6 months but less than a year, you get 2 days of leave for each month. You are paid your full wage while on leave. When you leave the job, any unused leave is paid out in cash based on your basic wage.
These rules are in Article 29 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Your contract can give you more leave, but never less. For the full picture of your rights, see our UAE labour law guide.
How many days of annual leave do you get?
| Time with your employer | Annual leave |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | No legal entitlement yet (your employer may still agree to leave) |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 days for each month worked |
| 1 year or more | At least 30 days a year |
| Your final part-year | Leave for the part of the year you worked |
Part-time workers get leave in proportion to the hours they actually work.
Example: Sara has worked for 9 months. She has earned 9 × 2 = 18 days of leave.
Calendar days or working days?
The law gives “days”, and they are generally counted as calendar days. So a 30-day leave includes weekends. Check your contract. Some employers give leave in working days, which is better for you.
What if a public holiday falls during your leave?
Under Article 29, public holidays and official days off that fall inside your annual leave count as part of your leave. They do not extend it. The only exception is if your contract or company rules say otherwise.
Planning a trip? Check our UAE public holidays page. Taking leave next to a long weekend is a good way to stretch your time off.
Who decides when you take leave?
Your employer sets the dates, but it must agree them with you and give you at least one month’s notice. You should take your leave in the year it is due, unless you agree to carry it over.
How is leave pay worked out?
While you are on leave: you get your full wage, as if you were working.
When you leave the job: you are paid for unused leave days using your basic wage. The common way to work it out is:
Monthly basic wage ÷ 30 × unused days
Example: Omar’s basic wage is AED 6,000 a month. He leaves with 12 unused days. His leave pay is 6,000 ÷ 30 × 12 = AED 2,400.
Your employer must pay this with your other dues within 14 days of your last day. Add it to your gratuity. Our gratuity calculator shows that part.
Can you carry leave over to next year?
Yes, with your employer’s approval. The Executive Regulations say you can carry forward up to half of your yearly leave into the next year. You can also agree with your employer to take cash instead of the days, at the wage you earn when the leave is due.
Unused leave is never lost when you leave the job. The law says you must be paid for it, however long ago it built up.
Annual leave during probation and notice
During probation: you do not earn the full 30 days until you pass 6 months. Your employer may still agree to give you leave. See probation period in the UAE.
During notice: your notice period does not start while you are on approved leave. It starts the day after you return. So if you plan to resign, it is usually better to take leave first, then hand in notice. Our resignation and notice guide explains more.
Other types of leave
Annual leave is separate from these:
- sick leave: up to 90 days a year after probation. See sick leave in the UAE.
- maternity leave: 60 days,
- parental leave: 5 working days,
- bereavement leave: 3 or 5 days,
- study leave: 10 working days a year.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do I get in the UAE?
At least 30 days a year after one year of service. Between 6 and 12 months, you get 2 days for each month worked.
Is annual leave paid in the UAE?
Yes. You get your full wage while on leave. Unused days are paid at your basic wage when you leave the job.
How is unused annual leave calculated when I resign?
Divide your monthly basic wage by 30 and multiply by your unused days. For AED 6,000 basic and 12 days, that is AED 2,400.
Can my employer refuse my annual leave?
Your employer can set the dates to suit the business, but must agree them with you and give a month’s notice. It cannot take away leave you have earned.
Do weekends count as annual leave in the UAE?
Usually yes, because leave is generally counted in calendar days. Your contract may be more generous.
Can I take annual leave during my notice period?
You can if your employer agrees. But notice does not run while you are on leave, so your last day moves later.
Sources
Update log
Found an error? Tell us. This article explains the rules in general terms; it isn't legal, tax or financial advice for your situation.
Harper Cross is a business analyst and researcher. He studies politics and the Dubai real estate market, and writes about how policy and property shape business in the UAE.
The UAE rules, in your inbox
One short email when fees, visas, labour law or tax rules change. Free.