Working in Kuwait: labour law, pay, indemnity, and the cost of being there
Labour law, indemnity, cost of living, and public holidays for professionals in Kuwait City and across Kuwait. Built from primary sources, reviewed monthly.
Quick answers
The four most-asked questions about working in Kuwait, with primary sources.
Indemnity (end-of-service)
15 days of wage per year for the first five years, 30 days per year thereafter, capped at 1.5 years' wage. Vests at one year, with a sliding-scale resignation reduction through 10 years.
Source: Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, Art. 51-53
Annual leave
30 working days per year (≈6 calendar weeks) after nine months of service, the most generous leave entitlement in the GCC.
Source: Kuwait Labour Law, Art. 70
Notice period
Three months for monthly-paid employees, one month for other pay frequencies, applicable equally to either party after probation.
Source: Kuwait Labour Law, Art. 44
Working hours
48 hours per week or 8 hours per day, reduced to 36 hours during Ramadan for Muslim employees.
Source: Kuwait Labour Law, Art. 64
Labour law topics
Deep guides on the rules that govern your employment in Kuwait.
Employment Contracts
Written contracts, the five-year fixed-term cap, and 100-day probation.
Read full guideWork Permits & Iqama
PAM permits, Article 18 visas, and transfer rules.
Read full guideEnd-of-Service Indemnity
The 1.5-year cap, sliding-scale resignation reduction, and protected scenarios.
Read full guideTermination & Notice
Three-month notice for monthly-paid, Article 41 dismissal grounds, wrongful termination.
Read full guideLeave Entitlement
30 working days annual leave, 105 days sick, 70 days maternity, Hajj.
Read full guideWorking Hours & Overtime
Standard week, overtime rates, and summer outdoor-work rules.
Read full guideSalary & WPS
Wage Protection System, the KWD 75 minimum wage, PIFSS contributions.
Read full guideDispute Resolution
PAM mediation, the Labour Chamber, and filing deadlines.
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Calculate your Kuwait gratuity
Enter your basic salary and tenure to estimate your end-of-service entitlement. Locked to Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
All figures shown gross. Kuwait has no personal income tax for most professionals; your gross is effectively your net. Open the full cost-of-living calculator pre-set to Kuwait city.
Open cost-of-living calculatorPlan your 2026 long weekends in Kuwait
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 - 4D · no leave
Wed, Feb 25 – Sat, Feb 28
4 consecutive days off
Wed25Kuwait National DayThu26Liberation DayFri27WeekendSat28WeekendIncludes: Kuwait National Day, Liberation 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
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Living in Kuwait
Practical guides from the Tenure Compass: money, housing, visas, and family life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum notice period in Kuwait?
Under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, Article 44, the notice period is three months for monthly-paid employees and one month for other pay frequencies. The notice applies equally to the employer and the employee. Contracts can extend this by mutual written agreement. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted.
How is indemnity calculated in Kuwait?
15 days of wage per year for the first five years, then 30 days per year thereafter, capped at 1.5 years' wage. Vests at one year of service. Voluntary resignation reduces the payout on a sliding scale: nothing under three years, half from 3-5 years, two-thirds from 5-10 years, full at 10+ years. Termination by the employer pays full indemnity regardless of tenure once vested.
Are salaries in Kuwait tax-free?
Yes, Kuwait has no personal income tax for any employed worker. PIFSS social-insurance contributions apply only to Kuwaiti nationals (roughly 7.5% employee, 11% employer). For expat employees, the employer pays only for occupational-injury insurance; the expat employee makes no PIFSS contribution. Gross wage is effectively net wage for expat professionals.
How many annual leave days do I get in Kuwait?
30 working days per year, roughly six calendar weeks, the most generous leave entitlement in the GCC. The right to take leave kicks in after nine months of service, though accrual starts on day one. Public holidays (10-13 per year) are a separate paid entitlement on top of annual leave.
Can I change jobs in Kuwait without my employer's permission?
Kuwait has reformed its sponsor-release framework in stages. Transfer is permitted after one year of service with the current employer's written release, or in some circumstances after three years without explicit release. Specific protected scenarios (wage non-payment, employer breach) override the release requirement. Always check the current PAM rules before planning a transfer.
What is Kuwait's minimum wage?
Kuwait set a statutory minimum wage of KWD 75 per month under Ministerial Decision 156 of 2016, applicable to all private-sector workers. Professional roles operate well above this floor; the minimum is most relevant for low-wage sectors. Specific worker categories (domestic, agricultural) have separate regulatory regimes.
This guide summarises public law and policy in Kuwait as of . It is general information, not legal advice. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or employment decisions, consult a licensed employment lawyer in Kuwait.