GCC Annual Leave Guide: Entitlements, Accrual & Payout Rules by Country

Every GCC country has different leave rules — and many employees are unaware of what they are actually entitled to. Annual leave entitlements, sick leave tiers, maternity and paternity rights, and Hajj leave all vary by jurisdiction. Here is the complete breakdown.

Annual leave entitlements by country

UAE (Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021): 30 calendar days per year after 12 months of service. In the first year, leave accrues at 2.5 days per month. Leave must be taken or carried forward — employers cannot deny or cancel annual leave.

Saudi Arabia (Labour Law, Royal Decree M/46): 21 calendar days per year for employees with less than 5 years of service, rising to 30 days for 5+ years. Leave accrues at 1.75 or 2.5 days per month respectively.

Bahrain (Labour Law No. 36/2012): 30 calendar days per year after 12 months. Employees who have not completed a year receive pro-rata leave.

Qatar (Labour Law No. 14/2004): 21 calendar days per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service with the same employer.

Kuwait (Labour Law No. 6/2010): 30 calendar days per year for all employees regardless of service length.

Oman (Labour Law, Royal Decree No. 53/2023): 30 calendar days per year after 6 months of service (previously 12 months under the old law).

Sick leave

GCC sick leave follows a tiered structure — full pay, then reduced pay, then unpaid:

• UAE: 15 days full pay → 30 days half pay → 45 days unpaid (per year)
• Saudi Arabia: 30 days full pay → 60 days 75% pay → 30 days unpaid
• Bahrain: 15 days full pay → 20 days half pay → 20 days unpaid
• Qatar: 2 weeks full pay → 4 weeks half pay → 4 weeks unpaid
• Kuwait: 15 days full pay → 10 days 75% → 10 days 50% → 10 days 25% → 30 days unpaid
• Oman: 10 weeks full pay → 4 weeks half pay (per year)

A medical certificate from an approved health facility is required in all countries, typically within 24–48 hours of absence.

Maternity and paternity leave

UAE maternity: 60 calendar days — 45 days full pay + 15 days half pay. An additional 45 days of unpaid leave can be taken for illness related to pregnancy or childbirth. Paternity leave is 5 days.

Saudi Arabia maternity: 10 weeks at full pay (can be taken 4 weeks before delivery). Paternity leave is 3 days.

Bahrain: 60 days maternity (2019 amendment), 1 day paternity. Qatar: 50 days maternity, 3 days paternity. Kuwait: 70 days maternity, no statutory paternity. Oman: 98 days maternity (2023 law), 3 days paternity.

Hajj leave

Muslim employees are entitled to unpaid Hajj leave once during their employment. Entitlements by country:

• UAE: 30 days unpaid (once per employment)
• Saudi Arabia: Up to 21 days (once per employment)
• Bahrain: 14 days unpaid
• Qatar: 15 days unpaid
• Kuwait: 21 days unpaid
• Oman: 15 days unpaid

Unused leave payout

When employment ends, unused annual leave is paid out at the daily salary rate: monthly salary ÷ 30 × remaining leave days. This applies in all GCC countries on termination, resignation, or non-renewal of contract. Some employers restrict carryover to a maximum number of days — any excess may be forfeited if not taken within the carry-forward period.