UAE annual leave calculator
A UAE private-sector worker is entitled to at least 30 days' paid annual leave for each year of service. Between six months and one year of service the entitlement is two days for each month. If the job ends before the leave is used, the worker is paid for the unused days.
How the calculator counts leave
The calculator counts completed months from the joining date to the date you choose. Below six months it shows no entitlement yet. From six months to one year it gives two days per completed month. From one year it gives 30 days per year of service, in proportion for the current year. It then subtracts the days you have already taken and values the balance at basic salary ÷ 30 per day, the way SupaJack Construct values leave in a final settlement.
| Length of service | Paid annual leave (minimum) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | Not yet entitled | Article 29(1)(b) |
| 6 months to 1 year | 2 days for each month | Article 29(1)(b) |
| Each year after that | 30 days a year | Article 29(1)(a) |
| Last part-year when the job ends | Leave in proportion to the part-year worked | Article 29(1)(c) |
Points that change the balance
- These are minimums. A contract may give more leave, never less.
- The employer sets leave dates according to work needs, in agreement with the worker, and must give at least one month's notice of the dates (Article 29(4)).
- A worker may carry leave forward to the next year with the employer's approval (Article 29(5)).
- An employer may not stop a worker from taking leave that has built up for more than two years, unless the worker chooses to carry it forward or be paid for it (Article 29(8)).
- Leave can be granted during probation by agreement, and unused leave is paid if the worker does not pass probation (Article 29(3)).
Why a leave ledger matters on site
Spreadsheet balances drift because they overwrite a number. SupaJack Construct keeps every accrual and every day taken as its own entry, so each balance can be traced back to the entries that make it up. See the guide to UAE labour rules for contractors, or use the gratuity calculator, overtime calculator, annual leave calculator.
Related terms: gratuity, basic salary, overtime, rest day, annual leave and WPS. You can also see how SupaJack Construct handles UAE rules or sign in.
Worked example
A quantity surveyor joined on 1 January 2025 with a basic salary of AED 7,500 and has taken 12 days of leave. On 1 October 2026 they have 21 completed months, or 1.75 years, so they have earned 30 × 1.75 = 52.5 days. The balance is 52.5 − 12 = 40.5 days, worth 40.5 × (7,500 ÷ 30) = AED 10,125.00 if paid out.
Questions people ask
How many days of annual leave do UAE employees get?
At least 30 days for each year of service, after one year. Between six months and a year it is two days for each month.
When can a new employee take annual leave?
Entitlement begins after six months of service. Leave during probation needs the employer's agreement.
Is unused annual leave paid out in the UAE?
Yes. If the job ends before the leave is used, the worker is paid for the unused days, including leave for the last part-year.
How is unused leave valued?
Article 29(9) says it is calculated on the basic wage. This calculator and SupaJack Construct value each day at basic salary ÷ 30.
Can annual leave be carried forward?
Yes, to the following year with the employer's approval. An employer may not stop a worker from taking leave that has built up for more than two years, unless the worker chooses to carry it forward or be paid for it.
Are public holidays part of annual leave?
If a public holiday falls during annual leave, it counts as part of the leave period, unless the contract or company rules give the worker something better (Article 29(7)).
Do part-time workers get annual leave?
Yes, in proportion to their actual working hours, as set in the employment contract and the Implementing Regulation.
Can my employer choose my leave dates?
The employer may set dates according to work needs, in agreement with the worker.
Does annual leave count calendar days?
The law sets the number of days of leave; this calculator counts days as they appear in the law without adjusting for weekends.
Can an employer give more than 30 days?
Yes. The law sets minimums. A contract may give more.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationship (MOHRE, consolidated with amendments)
- Employment laws and regulations in the private sector (u.ae)
- Federal Decree-Law Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship (UAE Government portal copy)
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation