Qatar Labour Law — the quick guide
The statutory baseline for employment in Qatar under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004, in one page. Every figure below comes from the same compliance engine that runs AhlanHamad payroll.
- Labour law
- Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004
- Annual leave
- 21 days
- Sick leave
- up to 14 days/year
- Probation
- up to 6 months
- Notice period
- 1 month(s)
- Weekend
- Friday–Saturday
- Overtime
- +25% weekdays · +50% rest days
- Social insurance
- GRSIA — employer 14% / employee 7%
- Wage protection
- WPS (Ministry of Labour)
- Nationalization
- Qatarization — workforce target 20%
Annual leave
The statutory annual leave entitlement in Qatar is 21 days under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
Sick leave
Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 provides for up to 14 days of sick leave per year in Qatar, 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 Qatar runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
Overtime pay
Statutory overtime under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 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
Law 14/2004 Art. 54: statutory minimum 21 days' wage (3 weeks)/yr for ALL years of service, no cap, min 1 year, no reduction on resignation. Contracts may grant more (e.g. 1 month/yr after 5 years) but 21 days/yr is the statutory floor — use it for a conservative, defensible estimate. 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
- 21 days' wage (3 weeks) per year, for all years of service
- No cap on the total gratuity
- Partial years are calculated proportionally
- Full gratuity on both resignation and termination
Wage protection (WPS)
Employers in Qatar pay salaries through WPS (Ministry of Labour). AhlanHamad builds the wage-protection file from each payroll run, ready for you to upload.
Workforce nationalization
Qatarization — workforce target 20%
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 Qatar?
The statutory annual leave entitlement in Qatar is 21 days under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Contracts may grant more; some entitlements vary with length of service.
How many sick days does the law allow in Qatar?
Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 provides for up to 14 days of sick leave per year in Qatar, paid on the tiered scale set by the law.
How long can probation last in Qatar?
Probation may last up to 6 months.
What is the overtime rate in Qatar?
Statutory overtime under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 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 Qatar?
The standard working week in Qatar runs Sunday to Thursday, with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
How is end-of-service calculated in Qatar?
Law 14/2004 Art. 54: statutory minimum 21 days' wage (3 weeks)/yr for ALL years of service, no cap, min 1 year, no reduction on resignation. Contracts may grant more (e.g. 1 month/yr after 5 years) but 21 days/yr is the statutory floor — use it for a conservative, defensible estimate. WAGE BASIS: this award is computed on the last monthly BASIC wage only — allowances are excluded from the base.
Social insurance
GRSIA contributions are employer 14% and employee 7% of the covered wage, for covered Qatari nationals. Expatriate employees are generally outside the state pension scheme and receive the end-of-service gratuity instead.
See the current GRSIA contribution rates