Annual Leave & Public Holidays in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Annual leave is one of the few entitlements you don't have to fight for in the UAE — but the math trips a lot of people up at termination.
- First year: you accrue 2 days a month after completing 6 months of service — roughly 12 days for the first year.
- After one year: a flat 30 calendar days a year. Calendar, not working — weekends inside your block count toward it.
- Public holidays: paid time off for the official UAE list — Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, the Prophet's Birthday, National Day (2-3 December), and New Year's Day.
- Working on a holiday: you get either another day off plus 50% extra pay, or 150% of your daily wage outright if no substitute day is given.
- Carry-over: the employer can't force you to forfeit unused leave. You either carry it forward or get paid out — based on basic salary — when you leave the job.
When does it apply?
- You work in the private sector under a UAE employment contract.
- Leave entitlements start accruing from your first day of employment, but you can only take leave after 6 months.
- Part-time workers receive leave proportional to their working hours.
What to Do If Your UAE Employer Refuses Your Annual Leave
- Plan ahead. The employer can schedule when you take leave around business needs — they cannot refuse it altogether.
- Denied? Put the request in writing and keep the reply. That's the paper trail if it goes to MoHRE.
- Leaving the job? Run the math on your unused balance. You're owed cash for every untaken day, based on your last basic salary — not the full package.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sign away your leave entitlement. Any clause that strips your right to annual leave is void.
- Don't forget the weekends inside your leave block. The 30-day entitlement is calendar days, so weekends are absorbed into it.
- Don't treat sick leave as annual leave. They're separate entitlements with separate rules.
Common Questions
When does it apply — annual leave & public holidays?
You work in the private sector under a UAE employment contract.Leave entitlements start accruing from your first day of employment, but you can only take leave after 6 months.Part-time workers receive leave proportional to their working hours.
What should I do if my employer in the UAE refuses to approve my annual leave?
Plan ahead. The employer can schedule when you take leave around business needs — they cannot refuse it altogether.Denied? Put the request in writing and keep the reply. That's the paper trail if it goes to MoHRE.Leaving the job? Run the math on your unused balance. You're owed cash for every untaken day, based on your last basic salary — not the full package.
What should you NOT do — annual leave & public holidays?
Don't sign away your leave entitlement. Any clause that strips your right to annual leave is void.Don't forget the weekends inside your leave block. The 30-day entitlement is calendar days, so weekends are absorbed into it.Don't treat sick leave as annual leave. They're separate entitlements with separate rules.