Annual leave in United Arab Emirates: days, carry-over and pay-out
Annual leave in United Arab Emirates: 2 days per month (under 1 year of service); 30 calendar days per year (after 1 year of service) (Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021, Art. 29).
How many days
- 2 days per month (under 1 year of service)
- 30 calendar days per year (after 1 year of service)
Annual leave accrues only after 6 months of continuous service.
Days that do not use up leave
A public holiday that falls inside annual leave is not deducted from the balance.
Weekly rest days inside the leave are counted, because the entitlement is in calendar days.
The law does not say whether sick days during annual leave pause it, so the contract or company policy decides.
Carrying leave over
Up to half of the year's entitlement can be carried into the next year (Cabinet Resolution 1/2022, Art. 19 (Executive Regulations to Federal Decree-Law 33/2021); two-year rule at Decree-Law Art. 29(8)). Leave must be taken or settled at least every 2 years.
Unused leave when employment ends
Annual leave cannot simply lapse: days still owed when employment ends are paid in cash. AhlanHamad pays them on the basic wage, at a daily rate of the monthly wage divided by 30.
These are the statutory baselines, stated for general information — not legal advice. Entitlements can vary with tenure, sector, and contract; verify your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do employees get in United Arab Emirates?
Annual leave in United Arab Emirates: 2 days per month (under 1 year of service); 30 calendar days per year (after 1 year of service) (Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021, Art. 29).
Can unused annual leave be carried over in United Arab Emirates?
Up to half of the year's entitlement can be carried into the next year (Cabinet Resolution 1/2022, Art. 19 (Executive Regulations to Federal Decree-Law 33/2021); two-year rule at Decree-Law Art. 29(8)). Leave must be taken or settled at least every 2 years.
Is unused annual leave paid out when employment ends in United Arab Emirates?
Annual leave cannot simply lapse: days still owed when employment ends are paid in cash. AhlanHamad pays them on the basic wage, at a daily rate of the monthly wage divided by 30.
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