Calculate your annual leave entitlement according to UAE labor law. This tool helps you determine how many leave days you're entitled to based on your employment details.
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Annual leave is a crucial benefit for employees in the UAE, governed by the country's labor laws. This comprehensive guide will help you understand your rights, calculate your entitlement, and make the most of your leave days.
According to UAE labor law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), annual leave entitlement depends on your length of service:
| Years of Service | Annual Leave Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 2 days per month |
| 1-5 years | 30 days per year |
| More than 5 years | 30 days per year + additional benefits |
Your leave salary is calculated based on your basic salary. For employees earning a monthly basic salary:
Formula: (Basic Salary / 30) × Number of Leave Days
Example: If your basic salary is AED 10,000 and you take 15 days leave:
(10,000 / 30) × 15 = AED 5,000
The UAE typically has around 14 public holidays each year. These are in addition to your annual leave entitlement. The exact dates vary each year and may include:
To maximize your leave days:
While federal law governs annual leave, there can be slight variations between emirates:
| Emirate | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|
| Dubai | Some companies offer additional leave days as part of employment contracts |
| Abu Dhabi | Government employees may receive more generous leave packages |
| Sharjah | Some employers offer leave encashment options |
Employees may be able to encash unused leave days when:
The encashment is typically calculated at your basic salary rate.
Employees often make these mistakes regarding annual leave:
The new UAE labor law (effective February 2022) introduced several changes:
For more information on UAE labor laws, visit the official Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation website.
Our calculator helps you estimate not just your leave days but also potential expenses. Consider these cost factors:
Unused leave days are factored into your end of service benefits. Make sure to understand how this affects your final settlement when leaving a job in the UAE.
Annual leave in UAE is calculated based on your length of service. Employees with less than 1 year of service get 2 days per month, those with 1-5 years get 30 days per year, and employees with more than 5 years get 30 days plus additional benefits as per company policy.
Employers can postpone leave requests for operational reasons, but they must grant the leave within the same year. They cannot completely deny your annual leave entitlement.
If your leave period includes your regular weekends, these days are not counted as part of your annual leave. Only working days you take off are deducted from your leave balance.
According to UAE labor law, you can carry forward up to half of your annual leave entitlement (maximum 15 days) to the next year, unless your employment contract states otherwise.
Leave salary is calculated based on your basic salary. The formula is: (Basic Salary / 30) × Number of Leave Days. Allowances and bonuses are typically not included in this calculation.
Any unused annual leave days at the time of resignation must be paid out by your employer based on your basic salary. This is in addition to your end of service benefits.
Employees are generally not entitled to annual leave during the probation period, which typically lasts 6 months. Any leave taken during probation is usually unpaid.
No, public holidays are separate from your annual leave entitlement. If a public holiday falls during your annual leave period, that day is not counted as part of your leave days.
Employers can request to change approved leave dates for legitimate business reasons, but they must provide reasonable notice and arrange alternative dates that are mutually acceptable.
No, sick leave is separate from annual leave. UAE labor law provides for up to 90 days of sick leave per year (first 15 days full pay, next 30 days half pay, remaining 45 days unpaid).