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How many days of annual leave am I entitled to under UAE Labour Law?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·1 answers
I have been working for a private-sector company in the UAE and want to know my paid annual leave entitlement.

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 26, 2026
Under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), a private-sector employee who has completed one full year of service is entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave per year. If you have worked more than six months but less than one year, you accrue annual leave at the rate of two days for each month worked. Annual leave is a paid right, and your employer cannot make you forfeit it simply by not scheduling it. Public holidays and any sick days that fall inside your annual leave generally do not count against your annual-leave balance, depending on the circumstances. Your specific accrued balance should appear in your records, and MOHRE can confirm entitlements if there is a dispute. If you believe your leave is being denied or miscalculated, you can raise a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). For your individual situation, you can also compare and contact verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who handle employment matters.
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