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 United Arab Emirates 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
30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year 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. Unused leave can be carried forward by agreement or paid out on termination.
Statutory entitlement
Under Article 29 of Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, employees who have completed one continuous year of service are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year. Calendar days means weekends and public holidays falling within the leave period count towards the total, though as a matter of common UAE practice, employers exclude public holidays from leave deductions.
First-year accrual
During the first year, leave accrues at two days per month from the start of the sixth month of employment. So an employee who joins on 1 January is entitled to take 14 days of leave by 31 December (accruing from July onwards). At the one-year mark, the full 30-day entitlement kicks in.
Carry-forward and payout
Unused leave can be carried forward by mutual agreement. The Decree-Law does not impose a strict carry-forward cap, but employers typically set one in policy (commonly 50% of the annual entitlement). On termination, accrued unused leave must be paid out as cash at the employee's total daily wage rate (not basic only).
Public holidays, separate entitlement
Public holidays in the UAE are set annually by Cabinet Resolution and apply to both public and private sectors. 2026 has 12+ declared public holiday days, including the Eid breaks, National Day (2–3 December), Commemoration Day (1 December), and New Year's Day. Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to a compensatory day off plus an additional 50% of the daily wage.
Sick leave is separate
Annual leave is distinct from sick leave (Article 31): up to 90 days per year, with the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 at half pay, and the remainder unpaid. Sick leave does not reduce the 30-day annual leave entitlement.
Worked example
Amir joined a UAE firm on 1 March 2025. By 31 December 2025, he had accrued 14 days of leave (two days per month from September). He used 10 days in December. On 1 March 2026 his anniversary triggers the full 30-day entitlement. By the end of 2026, he's accrued 30 days for the year plus rolled-over 4 days from 2025 (subject to his employer's carry-forward policy). If he resigns on 31 December 2026 with 12 unused days, those 12 days are paid out at his full daily wage.
Frequently asked questions
Do weekends count as leave days?
Statutorily, yes, the law refers to calendar days. In practice, most UAE employers run leave systems on working days only and don't deduct weekends from the leave balance. Check your employer's HR policy.
Can my employer force me to take leave?
Yes, with reasonable notice. Employers can direct when leave is taken to manage operational needs. They cannot force leave during a public holiday, sick leave, or maternity leave.
What if I leave before reaching one year of service?
Pro-rata. You're entitled to two days per month accrued during the first year. If you leave at month nine, you're paid out for any accrued-but-unused days from month six onwards.
Is annual leave pay at basic or total salary?
Total salary, including the regular allowances you'd normally receive. End-of-service gratuity is the one calculation that uses basic only, leave pay uses your full monthly wage.
When to consult a labour lawyer
Talk to a lawyer if your employer is refusing to pay out accrued leave on termination, claiming you've already taken leave you don't remember taking, or interpreting carry-forward policy in a way that wipes out a year's accrual without your written agreement.