Guides
UAE labour law guide
What the law says about leave, notice and pay when you work in the UAE private sector.
In short
UAE private-sector jobs follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its 2022 regulations. Employees get 30 days of annual leave a year, up to 90 days of sick leave, 30 to 90 days' notice, overtime at 25% extra, and end-of-service gratuity after a year.
Updated
- Law
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
- Working hours
- 8 a day, 48 a week
- Annual leave
- 30 days a year after one year
- Sick leave
- Up to 90 days a year after probation
- Notice period
- 30 to 90 days, set in the contract
UAE labour law guides.
Start with the one you need.
Written by Sukaina Sehar, CMO at LeagrowUpdated
Sick leave in the UAE
After probation, a UAE private-sector employee can take up to 90 days of sick leave a year, all at once or in parts. The first 15 days are on full pay, the next 30 on half pay, and the last 45 are unpaid. Paid sick leave doesn't start until probation ends.
Read the guideAnnual leave in the UAE
UAE private-sector employees earn 30 days of paid annual leave a year once they've worked a full year, and 2 days a month between six months and a year. Leave is paid at the full wage before it starts. Unused leave is paid out on basic salary when the job ends.
Read the guideNotice period in the UAE
After probation, the UAE notice period is 30 to 90 days, as set in the employment contract, and it applies to both employee and employer. Whoever cuts the notice short owes the other the wage for the missing days. During probation, shorter notice rules apply.
Read the guideThe UAE labour card
The UAE labour card is your work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The plastic card has been replaced by an electronic work permit, which you can check and print for free on the MOHRE app or website. Free zone employees get their permit from their free zone instead.
Read the guide
UAE labour law at a glance.
The main rules for private-sector employees, with a page for each.
| Topic | The rule |
|---|---|
| Working hours | 8 hours a day and 48 a week, shorter in Ramadan |
| Overtime | Hourly basic pay + at least 25%, or 50% from 10pm to 4am |
| Probation | Up to 6 months, and it can't be extended |
| Annual leave | 30 days a year after one year; 2 days a month from 6 months |
| Sick leave | Up to 90 days a year: 15 on full pay, 30 on half pay, 45 unpaid |
| Public holidays | About 13 days off a year, the same for every sector |
| Notice period | 30 to 90 days after probation, set in the contract |
| Gratuity | 21 days of basic pay a year for 5 years, then 30 days |
| Final settlement | Paid within 14 days of the contract ending |
| Work permit | An electronic MOHRE work permit, often still called a labour card |
Sources: UAE legislation portal: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021; Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Checked .
Free tools
Work it out for UAE.
UAE gratuity calculator
End-of-service pay under the 2021 UAE Labour Law. Free, no sign-up.
UAE overtime calculator
Overtime, night and rest-day pay under the UAE Labour Law. Free, no sign-up.
UAE leave salary calculator
Annual leave pay, and unused leave when you leave. Free, no sign-up.
UAE final settlement calculator
Gratuity, leave, notice and salary owed when a job ends. Free, no sign-up.
UAE public holidays
Every public holiday for this year and next.
Questions, answered.
What is the current UAE labour law?
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the regulation of labour relations, in force since 2 February 2022, with Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 setting out the detail. It covers private-sector employees on the mainland and in most free zones.
Does the UAE labour law apply in free zones?
In most free zones, yes. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws, so their rules on leave, notice and end-of-service pay are different.
How many days of annual leave do you get in the UAE?
30 days a year once you've worked a full year. Between six months and a year you earn 2 days for each month. Public holidays are on top.
What is the notice period in the UAE?
Between 30 and 90 days after probation, as your contract says. It applies to you and your employer alike, and whoever cuts it short owes the other the wage for the missing days.
Who checks that employers follow the law?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Employees can file a complaint with MOHRE through its app, website or call centre.
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