Working in the UAE: labour law, pay, gratuity, and the cost of being there
Labour law, gratuity, cost of living, and public holidays for professionals in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Built from primary sources, reviewed monthly.
Quick answers
The four most-asked questions about working in UAE, with primary sources.
Annual leave entitlement
30 calendar days of paid annual leave after one year of service, with two days per month accruing during the first year.
Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 29
Gratuity formula
21 days of basic salary per year for the first five years, 30 days per year thereafter, capped at two years' total salary.
Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 51
Notice period
30 to 90 days as agreed in the contract, with 30 days as the statutory minimum for either party after probation.
Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 43
Working hours
48 hours per week or 8 hours per day, reduced by two hours daily during Ramadan, with overtime paid at 125–150% of basic.
Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 17
Labour law topics
Deep guides on the rules that govern your employment in UAE.
Employment Contracts
Fixed-term contracts, mandatory clauses, probation rules, and free-zone distinctions.
Read full guideGratuity & End-of-Service
How entitlement vests, the calculation method, and pro-rata rules.
Read full guideTermination & Notice Periods
Grounds for dismissal, probation rules, and notice requirements.
Read full guideAnnual Leave
Entitlement, accrual rules, carryover, and public holidays.
Read full guideWorking Hours & Overtime
Standard week, overtime rates, rest days, and Ramadan hours.
Read full guideVisa & Sponsorship
Visa types, sponsorship rules, and change-of-employer mechanics.
Read full guideSalary & Deductions
Wage protection, permitted deductions, and timely-payment rules.
Read full guidePay Index · UAE
See UAE salary medians across 12 sectors
Verified pay bands for UAE: median, range, top employers per sector. The country-scoped slice of the Tenure Pay Index, refreshed monthly.
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Calculate your UAE gratuity
Enter your basic salary and tenure to estimate your end-of-service entitlement. Locked to United Arab Emirates 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 UAE?
All figures shown gross. UAE has no personal income tax for most professionals; your gross is effectively your net. Open the full cost-of-living calculator pre-set to Dubai.
Open cost-of-living calculatorPlan your 2026 long weekends in UAE
Public holidays and the bridge days that turn them into long weekends. Islamic-calendar dates rely on moon-sighting confirmation closer to each event.
- 4D · 1 leave
Thu, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 4
4 consecutive days off
Thu1New Year DayFri2BOOKSat3WeekendSun4Weekend1Book leave onFri, Jan 2One leave day unlocks 4 consecutive days off.
Includes: New Year Day - 4D · no leave
Thu, Apr 30 – Sun, May 3
4 consecutive days off
Thu30Eid Al FitrFri1Labour DaySat2Eid Al Fitr – Day 3Sun3WeekendIncludes: Eid Al Fitr, Labour Day, Eid Al Fitr – Day 3 - 4D · no leave
Sat, May 23 – Tue, May 26
4 consecutive days off
Sat23WeekendSun24WeekendMon25Arafah DayTue26Eid Al AdhaIncludes: Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha - 3D · no leave
Sat, May 30 – Mon, Jun 1
3 consecutive days off
Sat30WeekendSun31Eid Al Adha – Day 2Mon1Eid Al Adha – Day 3Includes: Eid Al Adha – Day 2, Eid Al Adha – Day 3 - 4D · 1 leave
Sat, Jun 13 – Tue, Jun 16
4 consecutive days off
Sat13WeekendSun14WeekendMon15BOOKTue16Islamic New Year (1448H)1Book leave onMon, Jun 15One leave day unlocks 4 consecutive days off.
Includes: Islamic New Year (1448H) - 4D · 1 leave
Sat, Aug 22 – Tue, Aug 25
4 consecutive days off
Sat22WeekendSun23WeekendMon24BOOKTue25Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad Birthday)1Book leave onMon, Aug 24One leave day unlocks 4 consecutive days off.
Includes: Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad Birthday) - 5D · 1 leave
Sat, Nov 28 – Wed, Dec 2
5 consecutive days off
Sat28WeekendSun29WeekendMon30Commemoration DayTue1BOOKWed2UAE National Day1Book leave onTue, Dec 1One leave day unlocks 5 consecutive days off.
Includes: Commemoration Day, UAE National Day - 3D · no leave
Fri, Dec 11 – Sun, Dec 13
3 consecutive days off
Fri11Isra and Mi'rajSat12WeekendSun13WeekendIncludes: Isra and Mi'raj
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Living in UAE
Practical guides from the Tenure Compass: money, housing, visas, and family life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum notice period in the UAE?
Under Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, the statutory minimum notice period is 30 days, with parties free to agree up to 90 days in the employment contract. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted. During probation (up to six months), notice rules differ: 14 days if the employer terminates; 14 days if the employee resigns to leave the UAE; one month if the employee resigns to join another UAE employer.
How is gratuity calculated in the UAE?
The formula is 21 days of basic salary per year for the first five years of service, then 30 days per year for each subsequent year, capped at a total of two years' basic salary. Gratuity is based on basic pay only, excluding housing, transport, and other allowances. Use the calculator above for an exact figure based on your tenure and salary.
Are salaries in the UAE tax-free?
Yes, there is no personal income tax in the UAE for employed professionals. Corporate tax was introduced in 2023 (9% on profits above AED 375,000), but this does not apply to employee salaries. Social security contributions only apply to UAE nationals. For most expatriates, gross salary equals net salary.
How many annual leave days do I get in the UAE?
30 calendar days of paid annual leave after one year of service. During the first year, leave accrues at two days per month from the start of the sixth month. Public holidays are separate from annual leave. Unused leave can be paid out or carried forward by agreement.
Can I change jobs in the UAE without my employer's permission?
Since Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 took effect in February 2022, employees on standard work permits can change employers at the end of their contract or after completing the notice period, with no employer 'no-objection certificate' required. Free zone employees may have additional rules depending on the zone's regulations.
When did UAE labour law last change?
The current law, Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, took effect on 2 February 2022 and replaced the 1980 Labour Law in full. Subsequent Cabinet Resolutions (in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) have refined specific areas, including unemployment insurance, end-of-service savings schemes, and remote/flexible work models. The MOHRE website lists all current resolutions.
This guide summarises public law and policy in United Arab Emirates as of . It is general information, not legal advice. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or employment decisions, consult a licensed employment lawyer in United Arab Emirates.