The United Arab Emirates Leave Laws & Holidays

Last updated on July 21, 2026.

Paid Time Off in the United Arab Emirates

Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota

30 calendar days

The duration of annual leave (vacation) for regular employees who served for 12 months in the company in the UAE is 30 calendar days.

However, even employees who served less than 12 months might be entitled to partial annual leave. An employee becomes eligible for part of their vacation entitlement after 6 months of service (probation); they will receive 2 days of vacation for each month of work. Employers may, at their discretion, grant whole leave even during an employee’s probation period, though it is not required.

Carry Over

The employer has the authority to set vacation dates and can split them into multiple segments if needed. It’s expected that an employee takes vacation within the given year, but an employer may allow a carryover. In that case, a maximum of 15 vacation days may be transferred from one year to the following, but only one. Another option is to be paid out in cash at the end of the year.

Payout of Annual Leave

UAE leave laws mandate that employers must ensure that employees receive their payment for vacation leave before they go on leave.

Special Leave for Pilgrimage (Hajj)

30 unpaid days (once in their career)

Employees in the UAE are also entitled to 30 days of unpaid pilgrimage leave once during their employment. This leave is intended for the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia or visits to other Islamic sacred places.

Sick Leave in the United Arab Emirates

Up to 90 days of partially paid leave.

Employees in the United Arab Emirates receive 45 days of paid sick leave per year and an additional 45 days of unpaid leave. This entitlement is given to an employee after his or her probation period (generally at least 3 months) is finished.

A medical certificate must be submitted within 48 hours of the beginning of the leave.

Payout

Employees are paid during sick leave in the following manner:

• The first 15 days are fully paid (100% of regular salary);
• The following 30 days are half-paid (50%);
• The following 45 days are unpaid (0%).

Once these 90 days are over, the employer is allowed to dismiss an employee from a job.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in the UAE

60 days

In the UAE, an expectant mother working in the private sector is entitled to 60 days of maternity leave. This leave may start 30 days before the due date.

An employee must have served at least 1 year with the present employer to be eligible for maternity leave. An employee also must present an official medical certificate confirming her pregnancy.

According to UAE leave laws, an employee on maternity leave is not subject to termination.

Employees in the government sector are entitled to 90 days of fully-paid maternity leave.

Payout

Maternity leave is paid in the following manner:

• The first 45 days are fully paid;
• The following 15 days are half-paid (50% of an employee’s salary).

Paternity Leave in the UAE

5 working days

An employee who is the father of a newborn child receives 5 days of fully paid paternity (parental) leave. This applies both to employees in the private sector and the federal government.

Bereavement Leave in the UAE

3 days (or 5 for a death of a spouse).

Employees in the United Arab Emirates are entitled to paid leave for:

• 5 days in the unfortunate event of the death of a spouse;
• 3 days in the unfortunate event of the death of a father, mother, sister, brother, grandparent, grandchild, or child.

This right applies to all employees in private sector from their first day of employment, with no probation restriction.

Payout

Bereavement leave is fully paid by the employer in the UAE.

Jury Duty Leave in the UAE

There is no legal definition of jury duty leave because the UAE doesn’t have a jury system.

Military Leave in the UAE

Fully paid leave

Emirates citizens working in the private sector are entitled to fully paid leave while absent from work to complete their mandatory National Service. This is special sabbatical leave, typically for military service. It generally lasts for 12 months or more, depending on the requirements of the National Service. Employers are required to guarantee that their job will be open for them upon the employee’s return.

Employers are not required to provide this military leave for foreign (non-citizen) employees.

Voting Leave in the UAE

Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.

Public Holidays in The United Arab Emirates

Employees have the right to day off and receive full wages on a public holiday.

(*) - Dates are movable every year according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

Sources for the UAE Leave Laws

1. Local Laws & Regulations, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/united-arab-emirates

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide United Arab Emirates, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/united-arab-emirates/

3. Definitive Guide to Hiring in the United Arab Emirates, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/united-arab-emirates

4. Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Public Holidays in the State, https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2595

Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.