Leave Types in UAE, Annual, Sick & Maternity Leave Guide

Leave Types in UAE, Complete Guide to Annual, Sick, Maternity & Other Leave Entitlements (2026)

Whether you are an employee working in the UAE or an HR manager responsible for workforce compliance, understanding the leave types in UAE is essential. The UAE Labour Law provides employees with various types of paid and unpaid leave to support their well-being while helping employers maintain a productive and legally compliant workplace.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain every major type of leave available under UAE Labour Law, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, study leave, Hajj leave, public holidays, and unpaid leave. You’ll also learn about employee rights, employer responsibilities, and frequently asked questions.

What Are Leave Types in UAE?

Leave types refer to the different categories of time off that employees are legally entitled to under UAE Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and its Executive Regulations.

These leave entitlements are designed to:

• Protect employee rights
• Promote work-life balance
• Support family responsibilities
• Improve employee well-being
• Ensure employers comply with UAE labour regulations

The most common leave types include:

• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Maternity Leave
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Study Leave
• Hajj Leave
• Public Holidays
• Unpaid Leave

1. Annual Leave in UAE

Annual leave allows employees to take paid vacation after completing the required period of employment.

Important Points

• Annual leave is fully paid.
• Employers determine leave dates based on business requirements.
• Employees should receive leave salary before starting annual leave.
• Unused leave may be carried forward according to company policy or compensated upon termination.

2. Sick Leave in UAE

Employees may become ill and require time away from work.

Sick Leave Eligibility

Employees become eligible after completing probation.

Sick Leave Entitlement

• First 15 days, Full Pay
• Next 30 days, Half Pay
• Following 45 days, Unpaid

Maximum sick leave:
90 days per year

A medical certificate from an approved healthcare provider is generally required.
 

3. Maternity Leave in UAE

Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave.

Maternity Leave Benefits

• 60 days total
• First 45 days, Full salary
• Remaining 15 days, Half salary

Additional unpaid leave may be available in special medical circumstances.

Maternity leave helps mothers recover from childbirth while caring for their newborn.
 

4. Parental Leave (Paternity Leave)

The UAE introduced paid parental leave to encourage family support.

Entitlement

Both parents are entitled to:

5 working days of paid parental leave

The leave may be taken within six months following the child’s birth.
 

5. Bereavement (Compassionate) Leave

Employees are entitled to paid leave following the death of a close family member.

Leave Duration

• 5 days for the death of a spouse
• 3 days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent

This leave allows employees time to attend funeral arrangements and support their family.
 

6. Study Leave

Employees pursuing higher education may qualify for study leave.

Eligibility

Study leave is available to employees enrolled in recognized educational institutions after completing the required service period.

Entitlement

Employees may receive:

10 working days of paid study leave

This helps employees prepare for examinations and continue professional development.
 

7. Hajj Leave

Muslim employees performing Hajj pilgrimage may receive special leave.

Hajj Leave

• Up to 30 days
• Usually unpaid
• Generally available once during employment

Approval depends on employer policy and operational requirements.
 

8. Public Holidays in UAE

Employees are entitled to official public holidays announced by the UAE Government.

Common public holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Eid Al Fitr
• Arafat Day
• Eid Al Adha
• Islamic New Year
• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
• UAE National Day

Employees required to work during public holidays are generally compensated according to UAE Labour Law.
 

9. Unpaid Leave

Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons.

Examples include:

• Extended travel
• Family emergencies
• Personal commitments
• Medical reasons beyond paid leave entitlement

Unpaid leave requires mutual agreement between employer and employee.
 

Leave Salary Calculation

Employees taking annual leave are entitled to receive their leave salary before the leave begins.

Leave salary generally includes:

• Basic salary
• Housing allowance (where applicable)
• Regular fixed allowances included in employment terms

Proper leave salary calculation helps employers remain compliant with UAE labor regulations.
 

Leave During Probation

Employees serving probation generally do not qualify for annual leave.

However:

• Sick leave provisions differ during probation.
• Employers may approve unpaid leave at their discretion.
• Company policies may provide additional benefits beyond the minimum legal requirements.

Leave Encashment

Unused annual leave may be:

• Carried forward according to company policy
• Paid upon employment termination
• Encashed where permitted by employment agreement

Employers should maintain accurate leave records for every employee.
 

Why Understanding Leave Types Is Important

Understanding employee leave rights benefits both employers and employees.

For Employees

• Know your legal rights
• Plan vacations confidently
• Understand leave salary
• Protect employment benefits

For Employers

• Ensure UAE labor law compliance
• Reduce HR disputes
• Improve employee satisfaction
• Build a positive workplace culture
• Maintain accurate payroll processing

Best Practices for HR Managers

HR professionals should:

• Maintain a clear leave policy
• Automate leave approvals
• Track leave balances accurately
• Keep employee records updated
• Integrate leave management with payroll
• Generate leave reports regularly
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law

Using HR software significantly reduces manual errors while improving efficiency.
 

Simplify Leave Management with EasyHR

Managing different leave types manually can become challenging as your workforce grows. An integrated HR and Payroll system like EasyHR by Delicate Software Solutions helps businesses automate leave requests, track employee leave balances, calculate leave salaries accurately, and maintain compliance with UAE labor regulations.

Key benefits include:

• Online leave applications
• Leave approval workflows
• Annual leave balance tracking
• Sick leave management
• Payroll integration
• Employee self-service portal
• HR reports and analytics
• Secure employee records

Whether you manage 20 employees or 2,000, automating leave management saves time, reduces errors, and improves employee satisfaction.
 

Conclusion

Leave types in UAE are governed by UAE Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021. Understanding the various leave types in UAE is essential for every employee, HR manager, and business owner. Knowing your legal rights and responsibilities helps create a fair, compliant, and productive workplace.

For employers, implementing a well-defined leave policy and using reliable HR software can simplify leave tracking, payroll processing, and labor law compliance. For employees, understanding leave entitlements ensures you can make informed decisions about your work-life balance while protecting your statutory rights.

Whether you are managing a small business or a large enterprise, staying informed about UAE leave regulations contributes to a healthier and more efficient workplace.