Annual Leave & Public Holidays
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions.
UAE Federal Law
What is this right?
Every worker in the UAE private sector is entitled to paid annual leave and public holidays:
- First year: You earn 2 days of leave per month after completing 6 months of service (totalling about 12 days for the first year).
- After one year: You are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year.
- Public holidays: Workers get paid time off on official UAE holidays, including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, the Prophet's Birthday, National Day (December 2-3), and New Year's Day.
- Working on holidays: If you work on a public holiday, you are entitled to another day off plus 50% extra pay, or 150% of your daily wage if no substitute day is given.
- Carry-over: Your employer cannot force you to give up unused leave. You can carry it over or receive cash payment for unused days when you leave.
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 should you do?
- Plan your leave in advance — your employer can schedule when you take leave based on business needs, but they cannot deny it entirely.
- If your leave is denied, put your request in writing and keep a copy.
- When leaving your job, calculate your unused leave balance — you are owed payment for any untaken days based on your last basic salary.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not sign away your leave entitlement — any contract clause that removes your right to annual leave is void under the law.
- Do not forget to count weekends — the 30-day entitlement is calendar days, so weekends within your leave period are included.
- Do not assume sick leave counts as annual leave — they are separate entitlements.
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