UAE Annual Leave Rules: 30 Days, Carry-Over and Pay When You Leave
UAE private-sector workers get 30 days of paid annual leave a year, or 2 days a month in their first year. Here are the rules on carry-over, scheduling and leave pay on exit.
UAEIn brief
- Private-sector workers get 30 days of fully paid annual leave after one year of service.
- Between 6 months and 1 year, you earn 2 days for each month worked.
- Public holidays during your leave count as part of the leave, unless your contract is more generous.
- Unused leave must be paid on your basic salary in the final settlement, within 14 days of the job ending.
| Country | UAE |
|---|---|
| Organization | UAE Government (u.ae) / MoHRE |
| Official source | UAE Government portal – Annual leave ✓ u.ae |
Paid annual leave is a legal right for private-sector workers in the UAE. Here is what the law allows, in plain terms.
How many days you get
| Length of service | Annual leave |
|---|---|
| More than 6 months, less than 1 year | 2 days for each month worked |
| 1 year or more | 30 days, fully paid |
| Job ends before leave is used | Leave for the part of the year worked |
Part-time workers earn leave based on the hours in their contract.
Public holidays during leave
If a public holiday falls during your annual leave, it counts as part of your leave, unless your contract or company policy is more generous.
Who decides the dates
- Your employer can set leave dates according to work needs, by agreement with you, or by rotating leave among staff.
- The employer must tell you your leave dates at least one month in advance.
Carrying leave over
- Leave should normally be taken in the year it is earned.
- You can carry unused leave into the next year only with your employer's agreement and in line with company rules.
- An employer cannot stop you taking your leave for more than two years in a row, unless you choose to carry it over or take cash instead.
Leave pay when you leave the job
When your job ends, your employer must pay you for:
- all unused annual leave, however many days, and
- leave earned for the part of the final year you worked.
This is calculated on your basic salary, and it is part of the final settlement that must be paid within 14 days of the job ending, together with gratuity.
Tips
- Keep a record of the leave you take and any approval emails.
- Check your final settlement includes unused leave days.
- If leave pay is missing, raise it with HR in writing, then complain to MoHRE if it is not fixed.
Related guide: How UAE gratuity is calculated.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do you get in the UAE?
30 days of fully paid leave a year after one year of service. Between 6 months and 1 year of service, you earn 2 days for each month.
Can my UAE employer refuse my annual leave?
Your employer can set the dates according to work needs, but must tell you at least one month in advance. It cannot stop you taking leave for more than two years in a row.
Is unused annual leave paid when I leave my job in the UAE?
Yes. All unused leave is paid on your basic salary as part of the final settlement, which is due within 14 days of the job ending.
Do public holidays count as annual leave in the UAE?
Yes. A public holiday that falls during your annual leave counts as part of the leave, unless your contract or company policy is more generous.
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