UAE annual leave entitlement explained
Annual leave is one of the most common questions HR and finance teams get from UAE staff. This guide summarises the main rules for private sector employees under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as set out on the UAE government portal.
How much leave
| Situation | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| After one full year of service | 30 days of fully paid annual leave |
| More than six months, less than a year | 2 days for each month of service |
| Part-time employees | Based on actual hours worked, as in the contract |
| Employment ends part-way through a year | Leave is pro-rated for the part year worked |
Taking and carrying leave
- Leave should normally be used in the year it is due, and the employer should give notice of the leave dates (the guidance refers to at least one month).
- Carrying leave forward needs the employer’s consent and follows company rules.
- An employer cannot stop an employee using accrued leave for more than two consecutive years, unless the employee chooses to carry it over or to be paid for it.
- Public holidays that fall inside the leave period count towards the leave, unless the contract or policy is more generous.
When someone leaves
Unused leave is paid out when employment ends, plus pro-rated leave for the part year. Because the amount depends on the employee’s pay and the exact dates, it is worth calculating it in the final settlement rather than estimating it. Use our UAE leave salary calculator as a starting point and check the pay basis against the official guidance.
Tracking leave across staff and branches
Once you have more than a handful of employees, tracking accrued and used leave in a spreadsheet gets error-prone. BizTracker UAE calculates annual leave accrued and balance, sick leave and the next ticket due for each employee, and lets you change the as-of date to see the position on any day. See leave and gratuity software for UAE businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do UAE private sector employees get?
30 days of fully paid annual leave after one full year of service, according to the UAE government portal.
What if I have worked less than a year?
After six months of service you earn 2 days of leave for each month worked, pro-rated within the first year.
Can annual leave be carried forward?
Only with the employer’s consent and under company rules. An employer cannot stop an employee from using accrued leave for more than two consecutive years unless the employee chooses to carry it over or be paid for it.
Is unused leave paid when someone leaves?
Yes. Unused leave is paid out on termination, including pro-rated leave for the part year worked. Check the official guidance for the pay basis that applies.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is a summary of public guidance under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Confirm details with MoHRE or a qualified adviser.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Source: UAE government portal, annual leave. Rules can change; confirm with MoHRE or a qualified adviser.