Annual leave in Kuwait: days, carry-over and pay-out
Annual leave in Kuwait: 30 working days per year (Kuwait Labour Law No. 6/2010, Art. 70 (as amended by Law No. 85/2017)).
How many days
- 30 working days per year
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 not deducted either: the entitlement is counted in working days.
If an employee falls ill during annual leave with a medical certificate, the sick days do not use up annual leave (Kuwait Labour Law 6/2010, Art. 70).
Carrying leave over
Unused leave can build up to 2 years' entitlement (Law 6/2010, Arts. 72–74).
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 full wage (basic plus the allowances that form part of it), at a daily rate of the monthly wage divided by 26.
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 Kuwait?
Annual leave in Kuwait: 30 working days per year (Kuwait Labour Law No. 6/2010, Art. 70 (as amended by Law No. 85/2017)).
Can unused annual leave be carried over in Kuwait?
Unused leave can build up to 2 years' entitlement (Law 6/2010, Arts. 72–74).
Is unused annual leave paid out when employment ends in Kuwait?
Annual leave cannot simply lapse: days still owed when employment ends are paid in cash. AhlanHamad pays them on the full wage (basic plus the allowances that form part of it), at a daily rate of the monthly wage divided by 26.
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