Working in Bahrain: labour law, pay, gratuity, and the cost of being there
Labour law, gratuity, cost of living, and public holidays for professionals in Manama and across Bahrain. Built from primary sources, reviewed monthly.
Quick answers
The four most-asked questions about working in Bahrain, with primary sources.
End-of-service gratuity
15 days of wage per year for the first three years, 30 days per year thereafter, with no statutory cap and a wage base that includes fixed regular allowances.
Source: Bahrain Labour Law No. 36 of 2012, Art. 116
Annual leave
30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year, with public holidays counted separately on top.
Source: Bahrain Labour Law, Art. 59
Notice period
30 days minimum for indefinite contracts after probation, applicable equally to either party and extendable by written agreement.
Source: Bahrain Labour Law, Art. 99
Working hours
48 hours per week or 8 hours per day, reduced to 36 hours per week during Ramadan for Muslim employees.
Source: Bahrain Labour Law, Art. 51
Labour law topics
Deep guides on the rules that govern your employment in Bahrain.
Employment Contracts
Written contracts, mandatory clauses, and the three-month probation cap.
Read full guideWork Permits & LMRA
Sponsorship, transfer rules, and the 2009 reform path.
Read full guideEnd-of-Service Gratuity
Entitlement, allowance treatment, and the no-cap formula.
Read full guideTermination & Notice
Grounds for dismissal, notice, and wrongful-termination compensation.
Read full guideLeave Entitlement
Annual, sick, maternity, and Hajj leave.
Read full guideWorking Hours & Overtime
Standard week, overtime rates, and summer outdoor-work rules.
Read full guideSalary & WPS
Wage Protection System, deduction rules, and SIO contributions.
Read full guideDispute Resolution
Ministry conciliation, the Labour Chamber, and filing deadlines.
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Calculate your Bahrain gratuity
Enter your basic salary and tenure to estimate your end-of-service entitlement. Locked to Bahrain rules.
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Estimates for private-sector mainland employees in UAE (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), Saudi Arabia (Royal Decree M/51), Qatar (Law No. 14 of 2004, amended by Law No. 17 of 2020), Bahrain (Law No. 36 of 2012), Kuwait (Law No. 6 of 2010), and Oman (Royal Decree 53/2023). Current as of May 2026. Actual entitlement varies with contract terms, company policy, and judicial interpretation.
DIFC employees are on the DEWS savings scheme (not traditional gratuity). ADGM employees may be on an optional pension scheme. QFC employment does not mandate gratuity. Most other GCC free zones follow national labour law. Oman applies a split-period calculation under Royal Decree 53/2023 (pre- and post-26 July 2023 tenure handled separately). Government employees, domestic workers, and limited/part-time contracts are excluded. Termination for gross misconduct may forfeit entitlement.
Not legal advice. Consult a qualified labour lawyer for specific disputes.
Enter your details to calculate your end-of-service gratuity entitlement
What does life cost in Bahrain?
All figures shown gross. Bahrain has no personal income tax for most professionals; your gross is effectively your net. Open the full cost-of-living calculator pre-set to Manama.
Open cost-of-living calculatorPlan your 2026 long weekends in Bahrain
Public holidays and the bridge days that turn them into long weekends. Islamic-calendar dates rely on moon-sighting confirmation closer to each event.
- 3D · no leave
Thu, Jan 1 – Sat, Jan 3
3 consecutive days off
Thu1New Year DayFri2WeekendSat3WeekendIncludes: New Year Day - 3D · no leave
Thu, Apr 30 – Sat, May 2
3 consecutive days off
Thu30Eid Al FitrFri1Eid Al Fitr – Day 2Sat2Eid Al Fitr – Day 3Includes: Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Fitr – Day 2, Eid Al Fitr – Day 3 - 4D · no leave
Fri, May 29 – Mon, Jun 1
4 consecutive days off
Fri29WeekendSat30WeekendSun31Eid Al Adha – Day 2Mon1Eid Al Adha – Day 3Includes: Eid Al Adha – Day 2, Eid Al Adha – Day 3 - 4D · no leave
Wed, Dec 16 – Sat, Dec 19
4 consecutive days off
Wed16Bahrain National DayThu17Bahrain National Day – Day 2Fri18WeekendSat19WeekendIncludes: Bahrain National Day, Bahrain National Day – Day 2
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Living in Bahrain
Practical guides from the Tenure Compass: money, housing, visas, and family life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum notice period in Bahrain?
Under Bahrain Labour Law No. 36 of 2012, Article 99, the statutory minimum notice period is 30 days for an indefinite-term contract, applicable equally to the employer and the employee after probation. Contracts can extend this by mutual written agreement. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted. Probation itself is capped at three months under Article 21.
How is gratuity calculated in Bahrain?
15 days of wage per year for the first three years, then 30 days per year for each subsequent year, with no statutory cap. Bahrain's wage base is more employee-favourable than the UAE's, it includes fixed regular allowances (housing, transport) alongside basic salary. Variable bonuses and commission are excluded.
Are salaries in Bahrain tax-free?
Yes, there is no personal income tax in Bahrain for any employed worker, Bahraini or expat. Social Insurance Organization (SIO) contributions apply only to Bahraini nationals (roughly 7% employee, 12% employer). For expats, the employer pays approximately 3% for occupational hazards; the expat employee makes no contribution. Gross wage is effectively net wage for expat professionals.
How many annual leave days do I get in Bahrain?
30 calendar days per year after one year of continuous service, accruing pro-rata in the first year. Public holidays (around 10-12 per year) are a separate paid entitlement. Sick leave runs up to 55 days per year on a sliding pay scale, and maternity leave is 60 days at full pay.
Can I change jobs in Bahrain without my employer's permission?
Since the 2009 LMRA reforms, the first of their kind in the GCC, Bahrain has permitted employer transfer without explicit sponsor consent in defined circumstances. Standard cases require completing the contractual notice period and one year of service. Protected scenarios (wage non-payment, employer breach) override the consent requirement. Check the LMRA portal for current rules.
When did Bahrain labour law last change?
Law No. 36 of 2012 remains the core labour law. The LMRA framework, work-permit rules, and Bahrainisation quotas continue to evolve through ministerial decisions. Golden Residency was launched in 2022. Check the Ministry of Labour and LMRA portals for the most recent operational changes affecting day-to-day employment.
This guide summarises public law and policy in Bahrain as of . It is general information, not legal advice. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or employment decisions, consult a licensed employment lawyer in Bahrain.