UAE Annual Leave: How Many Days Are You Entitled To?

Annual Leave Days by Service Length

Under 2026 MOHRE rules, every employee receives paid annual leave based on continuous service with the same employer. The calculation is straightforward once you know your start date.

• Less than one year: 30 calendar days per year, accrued proportionally.
• One to five years: 30 calendar days.
• More than five years: 30 calendar days plus two extra days for each additional year after five.

Leave is calculated in calendar days, not working days. Public holidays that fall during approved leave are not counted as annual leave.

How Leave Accrues During the Year

Leave accrues monthly at a rate of 2.5 days for the basic 30-day entitlement. After five years, the extra days are added at the end of each completed year. You can take leave only after completing six months of service, unless your contract states otherwise.

Employers must approve leave requests within a reasonable time. If you have not taken your full entitlement by year-end, the unused days carry forward for a maximum of one year or are paid out at contract end, whichever comes first.

Requesting and Scheduling Leave

Submit your leave request through your company's HR portal or in writing at least 15 days in advance for standard requests. Longer periods, such as three weeks or more, should be requested 30 days ahead. Your employer can refuse dates during peak periods but must offer alternative dates within the same calendar year.

Keep records of all approvals. If your request is ignored for more than 14 days, you can raise the matter with MOHRE through the Tawjeeh service.

Leave Payout on Contract End

When your employment ends, any untaken annual leave must be paid in your final settlement. The payout equals your basic salary divided by 30, multiplied by the number of unused days. Housing and transport allowances are not included in this calculation unless your contract states otherwise.

If you resign before completing one year, you receive leave pay only for the days you have actually accrued. No payout is due if you were dismissed for gross misconduct, as confirmed by MOHRE.

Common Questions from Expats

Many expats ask whether public holidays count toward their 30 days. They do not. Sick leave, maternity leave, and compassionate leave are also separate entitlements and do not reduce your annual leave balance.

If you are on a part-time or flexible-hours contract, your leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis using the same 30-day standard. Always confirm the exact figure with your employer before signing.

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