Kuwait Labour Law — the quick guide
The statutory baseline for employment in Kuwait under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, in one page. Every figure below comes from the same compliance engine that runs AhlanHamad payroll.
- Labour law
- Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010
- Annual leave
- 30 days
- Sick leave
- up to 75 days/year
- Probation
- up to 3 months
- Notice period
- 3 month(s)
- Weekend
- Friday–Saturday
- Overtime
- +25% weekdays · +50% rest days
- Social insurance
- PIFSS — employer 11.5% / employee 10.5%
- Wage protection
- WPS (PAM)
- Nationalization
- Kuwaitization — workforce target 25%
Annual leave
The statutory annual leave entitlement in Kuwait is 30 days under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010. Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
Sick leave
Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 provides for up to 75 days of sick leave per year in Kuwait, paid on the tiered scale set by the law.
Probation period
Probation may last up to 3 months.
Notice period
The statutory notice period is 3 month(s) for indefinite contracts — always check the contract, which may set a longer period.
Working week
The standard working week in Kuwait runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
Overtime pay
Statutory overtime under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 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
15 days' wage per year for the first 5 years, then a month's wage per year thereafter, capped at 18 months. Resigning does not cancel the gratuity — it pays a share of what has already accrued: nothing under 3 years, one-half from 3, two-thirds from 5, and the full amount from 10 (Kuwait Labour Law Art. 53). WAGE BASIS: this award is computed on the last FULL monthly remuneration — basic salary PLUS the fixed allowances that count toward indemnity (housing, transport, and the like), never basic salary alone.
- First 5 years of service: 15 days' wage per year
- After 5 years: 1 month's wage per year of service
- Partial years are calculated proportionally
- Resignation under 3 years: no entitlement
- Resignation 3–5 years: 50% of entitlement
- Resignation 5–10 years: two-thirds (2/3) of entitlement
- Resignation 10+ years: 100% of entitlement
- Termination by employer: full 100% indemnity
- Maximum indemnity cap: 1.5 years (18 months) salary
Wage protection (WPS)
Employers in Kuwait pay salaries through WPS (PAM). AhlanHamad builds the wage-protection file from each payroll run, ready for you to upload.
Workforce nationalization
Kuwaitization — workforce target 25%
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 Kuwait?
The statutory annual leave entitlement in Kuwait is 30 days under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010. Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
How many sick days does the law allow in Kuwait?
Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 provides for up to 75 days of sick leave per year in Kuwait, paid on the tiered scale set by the law.
How long can probation last in Kuwait?
Probation may last up to 3 months.
What is the overtime rate in Kuwait?
Statutory overtime under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 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 Kuwait?
The standard working week in Kuwait runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
How is end-of-service calculated in Kuwait?
15 days' wage per year for the first 5 years, then a month's wage per year thereafter, capped at 18 months. Resigning does not cancel the gratuity — it pays a share of what has already accrued: nothing under 3 years, one-half from 3, two-thirds from 5, and the full amount from 10 (Kuwait Labour Law Art. 53). WAGE BASIS: this award is computed on the last FULL monthly remuneration — basic salary PLUS the fixed allowances that count toward indemnity (housing, transport, and the like), never basic salary alone.
Social insurance
PIFSS contributions are employer 11.5% and employee 10.5% of the covered wage, for covered Kuwaiti nationals. Expatriate employees are generally outside the state pension scheme and receive the end-of-service gratuity instead.
See the current PIFSS contribution rates