UAE Labour Law Annual Leave: Complete Guide to 30 Days Entitlement
Learn your UAE labour law annual leave rights: 30 days paid vacation, carry-forward rules, cash compensation options, and payment calculations under Article 29.
Key Takeaways
- UAE employees are entitled to 30 days paid annual leave after one year of service
- During probation, employees accrue 2 days leave per month worked
- Unused annual leave can be carried forward or compensated upon termination
UAE labour law grants employees 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year after completing one full year of service. Employees can carry forward up to 15 days to the following year or receive cash compensation for unused leave based on their basic salary.Understanding your annual leave rights under UAE labour law protects your work-life balance and ensures you receive proper compensation for
unused vacation days. These entitlements form a crucial part of your employment benefits package.What Does UAE Labour Law Say About Annual Leave?According to Article 29 of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, UAE labour law provides comprehensive annual leave protections for all private sector employees.Key Legal Provisions:30 calendar days of paid annual leave per completed year of serviceEligibility
starts after completing one full year with the same employerPro-rata entitlement for employees who complete 6+ months but less than one yearBasic salary calculation for leave payment (excluding allowances)Enhanced Entitlements Under New Law: The current UAE labour law increased minimum annual leave from 25 to 30 days, demonstrating the UAE's commitment to improving work-life balance for its workforce.How
Much Annual Leave Are You Entitled To?UAE labour law establishes clear entitlement formulas based on your length of service with your current employer.Full Year Entitlement:One year+ service: 30 calendar days of paid annual leavePayment basis: Calculated on basic salary (excluding housing, transport allowances)Accrual timing: Becomes available upon completing each full year of servicePartial Year
Entitlement:6+ months service: 2 calendar days per month workedExample: 8 months service = 16 days annual leave entitlementPro-rata calculation: Proportionate to actual months workedPart-Time Employee Rights:Part-time workers receive annual leave calculated proportionally based on their contracted working hours compared to full-time equivalents.Can You Carry Forward Unused Annual Leave?UAE labour
law provides flexible options for managing unused annual leave, balancing employee needs with business requirements.Carry Forward Rules (Article 19 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022):Maximum carry forward: Up to 15 days (half of annual entitlement)Employer agreement required: Written consent needed for carry forward arrangementsNext year usage: Carried forward leave must be used within the following
yearCash Compensation Alternative:Employee choice: Can request cash payment instead of carry forwardCalculation basis: Based on basic salary at time of entitlementMutual agreement: Requires employer consent for cash compensationTwo-Year Protection Rule: Employers cannot prevent employees from using accrued annual leave for more than two consecutive years, providing strong worker protection.When Can
You Take Your Annual Leave?While UAE labour law guarantees your annual leave entitlement, timing and scheduling involve both employee rights and employer discretion.Employer Scheduli...
About This Article
This article provides general information about UAE labour law and employment regulations. The information is based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and subsequent amendments. For specific legal advice regarding your situation, please consult with a qualified legal professional or contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).