What is annual leave in UAE?

Annual leave is the paid time off that employees in the UAE are entitled to each year, allowing them to rest, travel, or spend time with family while still receiving their salary according to UAE labour law:

• Employees who have completed one year of service are entitled to 30 days of fully paid annual leave.
• Employees who have completed at least six months but less than one year are entitled to two days of paid leave per month.
• If an employee leaves the company before using their full leave, they will be paid for any unused days based on how long they worked in their final year.

How to apply for annual leave?

Applying for annual leave in UAE is a simple process, but it may vary by company. Follow these basic steps to ensure a smooth leave approval.

• Check your leave entitlement – If you have completed one year, you get 30 days of paid leave. If you have worked between six months and one year, you get two days of leave for each month worked.
• Review your company’s leave policy – Check how much notice you need to give, how leave requests are handled, and whether you can carry forward unused days.
• Submit your annual leave request – Use your company’s HR system, send an email to your manager or HR, or fill out a leave form if required.
• Wait for approval – Your manager or HR will review your request based on workload and your available leave balance.
• Get confirmation and plan accordingly – Once approved, save the confirmation and inform your team so work is covered while you’re away.

Is annual leave in UAE is based on calendar days?

Yes, annual leave in the UAE is calculated based on calendar days, not working days. 30 days of annual leave includes weekends and public holidays. If your leave period overlaps with a weekend or public holiday, those days are still counted as part of your leave. If you take 10 days of leave, it means 10 consecutive calendar days, not just business days. However, these rules may vary as different companies have different policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to calculate annual leave in the UAE?

To calculate your annual leave in the UAE, you can use this simple formula:
Leave salary = (Basic salary + allowances) ÷ 30 × number of days of leave.

How to calculate annual leave salary in UAE?

To calculate your annual leave salary, first find your daily salary by dividing your monthly salary by 30. Then use this simple formula:
Leave salary = daily salary × number of leave days.

Is annual leave mandatory?

Yes, annual leave is mandatory under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 29). Employees must be granted annual leave based on how long they’ve worked for the company.

Does the notice period include annual leave?

No, annual leave cannot be taken during the notice period. Any leave taken during this time may either be treated as loss of pay or extend your notice period, depending on your company’s internal policy.