United Arab Emirates Labour Law — the quick guide
The statutory baseline for employment in United Arab Emirates under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), in one page. Every figure below comes from the same compliance engine that runs AhlanHamad payroll.
- Labour law
- UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021)
- Annual leave
- 30 days
- Sick leave
- up to 90 days/year
- Probation
- up to 6 months
- Notice period
- 1 month(s)
- Weekend
- Friday–Saturday
- Overtime
- +25% weekdays · +50% rest days
- Social insurance
- GPSSA — employer 15% / employee 11%
- Wage protection
- WPS (MOHRE)
- Nationalization
- Emiratization (Nafis) — workforce target 10%
Annual leave
The statutory annual leave entitlement in United Arab Emirates is 30 days under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
Sick leave
UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) provides for up to 90 days of sick leave per year in United Arab Emirates, paid on the tiered scale set by the law.
Probation period
Probation may last up to 6 months.
Notice period
The statutory notice period is 1 month(s) for indefinite contracts — always check the contract, which may set a longer period.
Working week
The standard working week in United Arab Emirates runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
Overtime pay
Statutory overtime under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) is normal wage +25% on working days and +50% on the weekly rest day. These are minimums — company policy may pay more.
End-of-service gratuity
21 days' wage/yr for the first 5 years + 30 days' wage/yr thereafter, capped at 2 years' wage. Requires at least 1 year of continuous service. Full gratuity on both resignation and termination. WAGE BASIS: this award is computed on the last monthly BASIC wage only — allowances are excluded from the base.
- Requires at least 1 year of continuous service
- First 5 years: 21 days' wage per year
- After 5 years: 30 days' wage per year
- Partial years are calculated proportionally
- Full gratuity on both resignation and termination
- Maximum cap: 2 years' total wage
Open the free United Arab Emirates end-of-service calculator
Wage protection (WPS)
Employers in United Arab Emirates pay salaries through WPS (MOHRE). AhlanHamad builds the wage-protection file from each payroll run, ready for you to upload.
Workforce nationalization
Emiratization (Nafis) — workforce target 10%
Statutory rules current as of August 2026. 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 in United Arab Emirates?
The statutory annual leave entitlement in United Arab Emirates is 30 days under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
How many sick days does the law allow in United Arab Emirates?
UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) provides for up to 90 days of sick leave per year in United Arab Emirates, paid on the tiered scale set by the law.
How long can probation last in United Arab Emirates?
Probation may last up to 6 months.
What is the overtime rate in United Arab Emirates?
Statutory overtime under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) is normal wage +25% on working days and +50% on the weekly rest day. These are minimums — company policy may pay more.
What is the weekend in United Arab Emirates?
The standard working week in United Arab Emirates runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
How is end-of-service calculated in United Arab Emirates?
21 days' wage/yr for the first 5 years + 30 days' wage/yr thereafter, capped at 2 years' wage. Requires at least 1 year of continuous service. Full gratuity on both resignation and termination. WAGE BASIS: this award is computed on the last monthly BASIC wage only — allowances are excluded from the base.
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All AhlanHamad tools for United Arab Emirates
Watch it work
Short, narrated screen recordings of the product doing exactly this.
53sHow much annual leave an employee has left, and why
1:39 minHow overtime is calculated in the UAE — 25% by day, 50% at night
1:20 minHow UAE public holidays change the annual leave day count
Social insurance
GPSSA contributions are employer 15% and employee 11% of the covered wage, for covered Emirati nationals. Expatriate employees are generally outside the state pension scheme and receive the end-of-service gratuity instead.
See the current GPSSA contribution rates