Not legal advice
Content summarises labour law as published by each GCC ministry, current as of May 2026. Not a substitute for legal advice. Employment law is jurisdiction-specific and subject to change. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or any decision with legal consequences, consult a qualified labour lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.
Not legal advice
This guide summarizes Kuwait employment law for informational use only. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified labour lawyer. Employment law is complex and jurisdiction-specific. For contracts, disputes, visas, or decisions with legal consequences, consult a licensed labour lawyer in your jurisdiction.
Quick summary
Annual leave is 30 working days per year after nine months of service. Sick leave is up to 105 days per year on a sliding pay scale. Public holidays are separate and average 10-13 per year. Maternity leave is 70 days at full pay. Hajj leave is a one-time 21-day entitlement for Muslim employees.
Annual leave
Article 70 of Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 entitles every employee to 30 working days of paid annual leave per year (broadly equivalent to 35-42 calendar days depending on the working week). Entitlement accrues from the start of employment, but the right to actually take leave kicks in after nine months of continuous service. Leave is paid at the employee's full wage including regular allowances.
Public holidays, separate entitlement
Kuwait observes approximately 10–13 public holidays per year, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the Prophet's Birthday, Islamic New Year, Liberation Day (26 February), and National Day (25 February). Public holidays are paid days off and do not count against annual leave. Employees required to work on a public holiday receive double pay plus a compensatory day off.
Sick leave
Article 69 entitles employees to up to 105 days of sick leave per year on a sliding scale of pay:
- First 15 days: full wage
- Next 10 days: three-quarters wage
- Next 10 days: half wage
- Next 10 days: quarter wage
- Final 60 days: unpaid
Sick leave requires a medical certificate from a doctor approved by the employer or a government health facility.
Maternity leave
Article 24 entitles working mothers to 70 days of maternity leave at full wage, plus up to four months of unpaid maternity leave on request following the paid period. Dismissal during maternity leave is prohibited. After returning, working mothers are entitled to two daily nursing breaks of one hour (total two hours per day) for up to two years.
Hajj leave
Article 71 grants Muslim employees a one-time paid leave of up to 21 days for the performance of Hajj, available once during employment after two years of service with the same employer.
Payout on termination
Article 70 requires unused annual leave to be paid out at the end of the employment relationship at the employee's last full wage, on a working-day basis. The payout is in addition to the indemnity.
Worked example
Reem joined a Kuwaiti firm in February 2024 on a full wage of KWD 1,600/month. She's entitled to 30 working days' annual leave per year. In 2026 she takes 20 days; resigns at the end of the year with 10 unused working days. Her leave payout: 10 × (KWD 1,600 ÷ 26 working days/month) = roughly KWD 615, paid alongside her indemnity and any other entitlements within seven days of contract end.
Frequently asked questions
Do my leave days count as working days or calendar days?
Kuwait uses working days, distinctive among GCC labour laws. So 30 working days of leave is materially more generous than 30 calendar days. Practical effect: roughly six full calendar weeks of paid leave per year.
Can my employer force me to take leave?
Yes, with reasonable notice and to manage operational needs. They cannot force leave during sick leave, maternity leave, or public holidays.
What if I haven't completed nine months?
You accrue leave from day one of employment but the right to take it generally kicks in at nine months under Article 70. On termination, all accrued days are paid out regardless of whether you reached nine months.
Is paternity leave available?
Kuwait does not have a statutory paternity leave entitlement. Some employers offer paid paternity leave as a discretionary benefit; check your company policy.
When to consult a labour lawyer
Consult a labour lawyer if your employer is refusing to pay accrued leave on termination, dismissing you during maternity leave (prohibited), denying sick leave on technical-certificate grounds, or running leave on a calendar-day rather than working-day basis.