Understanding Annual Leave Entitlements in the UAE (Article 29)
Paid vacation is an essential legal right safeguarding employee physical wellness and productivity across the Emirates. Under Article 29 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, every employee in the UAE private sector qualifies for statutory paid leave accrued progressively based on continuous tenure.
Whether you are planning an annual holiday back home or finalizing an end-of-service departure settlement, understanding your exact accrued days ensures you never leave money on the table. You can check all related tools on the UAE digital calculation hub to assess end of service gratuity, basic salary allocations, and overtime pay with complete peace of mind.
Statutory Accrual Rules (Article 29)
- Service Under 6 Months: No statutory annual leave entitlement during the probationary period.
- Service Between 6 and 12 Months: 2 calendar days for every completed month of service (up to 12 days total in your first year).
- Service Beyond 1 Full Year: 30 calendar days of paid leave per year (2.5 calendar days per completed month).
- Encashment upon Termination: All unavailed accrued leave days must be compensated in cash as part of your final settlement voucher.
Annual Leave Accrual Schedule by Completed Months
| Service Duration | Accrual Formula | Total Days Accrued | Cash Value (AED 9,000 Salary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | 6 mos × 2 days | 12 Days | AED 3,600 |
| 9 Months | 9 mos × 2 days | 18 Days | AED 5,400 |
| 1 Year (12 Mos) | Full annual entitlement | 30 Days | AED 9,000 |
| 2 Years (24 Mos) | 2 yrs × 30 days | 60 Days | AED 18,000 |
| 3 Years (36 Mos) | 3 yrs × 30 days | 90 Days | AED 27,000 |