UAE Private-Sector Annual Leave: What Are You Entitled To?
Understand UAE private-sector annual leave, accrual, scheduling, carry-over and payment for unused days before you plan time off.
The answer
UAE private-sector employees receive 30 days of fully paid annual leave after one year of service. Between six months and one year, the entitlement is two days for each month of service. Part-time leave is calculated under the rules for actual working hours.
A practical checklist
1. Check your completed service
Use your contractual start date and approved employment record. Do not count a future month or assume probation removes leave that the law says has accrued.
2. Request dates through the employer’s process
An employer may schedule leave according to work requirements, in agreement with the employee, and should notify the employee of the leave date at least one month in advance. Keep the approval.
3. Check holidays and carry-over separately
Public holidays that fall inside annual leave normally count as part of it unless the contract or company policy is more favourable. Carry-over requires the employer’s consent and applicable company rules.
4. Reconcile unused leave when employment ends
The official guidance says unused annual leave is payable when service ends, including the accrued fraction of the final year, calculated on basic salary. Compare the settlement with the leave record.
Important: Do not rely only on a spreadsheet balance. Compare it with the contract, approved leave requests and the employer’s official record.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 8 October 2026 against UAE Government — Annual leave ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.