How much leave you earn
Article 29 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) gives every full-time employee paid annual leave:
| Your service | Annual leave |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | None yet |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 days for each month |
| After the first year | 30 calendar days a year |
| Last, part year | In proportion to the months worked |
Can the employer refuse my leave?
The employer chooses the dates, but must tell you at least one month before. The employer cannot stop you from taking leave you have earned for more than two years, unless you agree to carry it over or to be paid for it under the company's rules.
What happens to leave you do not take
- You may carry some of it into the next year, or agree with your employer to be paid for it, under the rules of the law and the company.
- When the job ends, leave days you have not taken are paid. Explanations of Article 29 say this pay is worked out on your basic salary.
- 1Leave earned so far
- 2Minus leave already taken
- 3= days left
- 4× basic salary ÷ 30
- 5= pay for unused leave
Example
Sara has worked 2 years. Her basic salary is AED 4,500. She has taken 40 days of leave.
| Leave earned (30 × 2) | 60 days |
| Leave taken | 40 days |
| Days left | 20 days |
| Daily basic wage (4,500 ÷ 30) | AED 150 |
| Pay for unused leave | AED 3,000 |
While you are working, leave days are paid at your normal wage. The basic-salary rule is for leave that is paid out when the job ends - your contract may be more generous.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 29, as explained by Gulf News, Khaleej Times and Gulf News on leave before one year.
- This guide is general information, checked in October 2026. Your employer, MOHRE or a court gives the final figure.