Annual leave in Qatar: days, carry-over and pay-out
Annual leave in Qatar: 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years); 28 calendar days per year (after 5 years of service) (Qatar Labour Law No. 14/2004, Art. 79).
How many days
- 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years)
- 28 calendar days per year (after 5 years of 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
At the employee's request, up to half of the year's entitlement can be carried into the next year (Law 14/2004, Art. 80).
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 Qatar?
Annual leave in Qatar: 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years); 28 calendar days per year (after 5 years of service) (Qatar Labour Law No. 14/2004, Art. 79).
Can unused annual leave be carried over in Qatar?
At the employee's request, up to half of the year's entitlement can be carried into the next year (Law 14/2004, Art. 80).
Is unused annual leave paid out when employment ends in Qatar?
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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