Annual leave in Saudi Arabia: days, carry-over and pay-out
Annual leave in Saudi Arabia: 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years); 30 calendar days per year (after 5 years of service) (Saudi Labour Law, Art. 109).
How many days
- 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years)
- 30 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.
Carrying leave over
The law sets no cap on how many days carry over (Labour Law, Art. 110). The employer may postpone the leave by up to 90 days; longer requires the employee's written consent.
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 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 Saudi Arabia?
Annual leave in Saudi Arabia: 21 calendar days per year (first 5 years); 30 calendar days per year (after 5 years of service) (Saudi Labour Law, Art. 109).
Can unused annual leave be carried over in Saudi Arabia?
The law sets no cap on how many days carry over (Labour Law, Art. 110). The employer may postpone the leave by up to 90 days; longer requires the employee's written consent.
Is unused annual leave paid out when employment ends in Saudi Arabia?
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 30.
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