This is general information, not legal advice. Check your contract and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for your situation.
People working in the UAE usually want to know two things: how much holiday they're owed, and how much notice they have to give if they want to leave. Both are set by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law for the private sector. Your contract can give you more, but not less.
Annual leave: how much do you get?
- After one full year of service: at least 30 days of fully paid annual leave a year.
- Between six months and one year: 2 days for every month you've worked.
- Your last year: if you leave part-way through a year, you're entitled to leave for that fraction of the year.
- Part-time workers: leave is worked out in proportion to the hours in your contract.
Public holidays or other agreed days off that fall inside your annual leave are counted as part of it, unless your contract or company policy is more generous.
Who decides when you take it?
Leave should be used in the year it's due. Your employer can set the dates according to work needs, agree them with you, or rotate leave among staff, but it must tell you the dates at least one month in advance.
Can you carry it over?
Yes, with your employer's agreement and under company rules. But an employer can't stop you from taking accrued leave for more than two years in a row, unless you choose to carry it over or take cash instead.
What happens to unused leave when you leave?
You're paid for all the leave days you haven't used, however many there are, plus the leave earned for the part of the year you worked. The payment is calculated on your basic salary, not your full package.
Example
- Basic salary: AED 9,000 a month (daily rate 9,000 ÷ 30 = AED 300)
- Unused leave when you leave: 18 days
- Leave pay owed: 18 × 300 = AED 5,400
As with gratuity, the split between basic salary and allowances matters: a bigger basic means more leave pay and a bigger end-of-service gratuity.
Notice period: how long?
Under Article 43, the notice period is at least 30 days and no more than 90 days. The exact length is the one in your contract registered with MOHRE, and the same period applies whether you resign or your employer ends the contract.
- You keep your full salary during the notice period, based on your last wage, and the contract stays valid.
- Not working the notice: the side that doesn't give the required notice has to compensate the other with the wage for the notice period, or the part not served.
- Shorter notice by agreement: you and your employer can agree to shorten or waive it, as long as your other rights are protected.
- If your employer ends the contract, you're entitled to one day off a week during the notice period to look for a new job.
During probation
Probation rules are different:
- Moving to another UAE employer: give at least one month's written notice.
- Leaving the UAE: give at least 14 days' written notice.
Leaving during probation without following these rules can lead to a one-year work ban for foreign workers, with some exceptions, so put everything in writing.
Quick checklist before you resign
- Read your contract: notice period, leave balance rules, any carry-over limits.
- Ask HR for your leave balance in writing.
- Calculate your gratuity and unused leave pay on your basic salary.
- Hand in your resignation in writing and keep proof of delivery.
- Ask for your final settlement breakdown before your last day.
In short
In the UAE you earn 30 days' paid leave a year after your first year, unused days are paid out on basic salary when you leave, and your notice period is 30 to 90 days as set in your contract. Getting your leave balance and settlement in writing avoids most disputes.
Related guides
- UAE End-of-Service Gratuity Explained (2026): How It's Calculated
- Saudi Annual Leave and Notice Period Explained (2026): 21 Days, 30 Days and the New Rules
- How to Open a Bank Account in the UAE or Saudi Arabia as an Expat (2026)
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse my annual leave?
Your employer can choose the timing for business reasons but must give you a month's notice of the dates, and can't block you from taking accrued leave for more than two years in a row.
Is leave pay based on my full salary?
Payment for unused leave is calculated on basic salary. Check your contract for how leave salary is paid while you're actually on holiday.
Do I have to work during my notice period?
The contract continues during notice and you're paid in full. Your employer can ask you to work it, or you can both agree to shorten it.
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