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Annual leave and leave salary calculator
See how many days of annual leave you have earned under the UAE Labour Law, what unused days are worth if paid out, and your pay while on leave.
Annual leave under the UAE Labour Law
- After one year of service: 30 calendar days of paid leave a year.
- Between six months and one year: 2 days for each completed month.
- When employment ends, you are owed leave for the part of the final year you worked.
- Unused leave paid out on leaving is calculated on the basic salary.
- While on leave, you are paid your full wage: basic salary plus the allowances in your contract.
One day's pay is the monthly amount divided by 30.
Worked examples
Eight months in the job
Leaving after 2 years 6 months, 40 days already taken, basic AED 6,000
Leave salary: basic AED 6,000, housing AED 2,500, transport AED 500
Special cases
- Public holidays inside your leave count as leave days, unless your contract says otherwise.
- Carrying leave forward needs your employer's agreement. An employer cannot stop you using your leave for more than two years in a row.
- Leave dates: the employer can set them for business needs, but must tell you at least one month ahead.
- Part-time work: leave is based on the hours you actually work.
- Unpaid leave and absence do not earn annual leave.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the two rates. Days paid out when you leave use the basic salary; pay while you are on leave uses the full wage.
- Thinking leave only starts after a year. You earn 2 days a month from six months of service.
- Forgetting the part year when you leave. You are owed leave for the months worked in your final year too.
- Counting working days. Annual leave is counted in calendar days, so weekends inside your leave count.
Official sources
- UAE Government portal: annual leave the official summary of the rules
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) labour rules, complaints, call 600 590 000
Questions people ask
Can my employer refuse to pay unused leave when I leave?
No. Under Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021, unused annual leave must be paid when employment ends, based on the basic salary.
Do public holidays during my leave count as leave days?
Yes. Under the Labour Law, public holidays that fall inside your annual leave are counted as part of the leave, unless your contract or company policy is more generous.
Can I carry leave into next year?
Yes, if your employer agrees. Many companies cap how many days carry over, so check your contract or company policy.
An estimate for private sector employees under the UAE Labour Law. Your contract may give more leave. Rules checked October 2026.