Paid time off

Paid time off in the United Arab Emirates is governed by the UAE Labour Law, which establishes minimum entitlements for annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave for all employees working in the private sector.

Under current UAE regulations, employees are entitled to a minimum of 30 calendar days of annual paid leave per year. This entitlement applies to all workers regardless of employment type, though the accrual method may vary. Employees typically accrue leave on a monthly basis, with the full 30 days becoming available after 12 months of continuous service. Public holidays in the UAE are paid days off and do not count against annual leave allowances. The number of public holidays varies but includes Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, as well as UAE National Day on December 2nd.

Sick leave is also protected under UAE labour law. Employees are entitled to paid sick leave, with the first 10 days per year typically paid at full salary by the employer, and additional days potentially covered by social insurance contributions.

The primary governing authority is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which enforces provisions under Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 (the UAE Labour Law) and subsequent amendments.

Employers and payroll teams must ensure accurate tracking of leave accrual, maintain detailed records of all leave taken, and process payments correctly for unused leave upon employment termination. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, and violations can result in significant penalties. Organizations should implement robust leave management systems to monitor entitlements and ensure timely payment of leave benefits.