Employment · Legal glossary
Annual leaveIn Arabic: الإجازة السنوية
Definition
Annual leave is الإجازة السنوية in Arabic: paid leave a worker earns for a year of service, as the labour law sets it.
How it varies across the GCC
In Saudi Arabia it is at least twenty-one days, rising to thirty after five continuous years, paid in advance, with no cash in lieu during service (Labour Law, article 109(1)). In the UAE it is thirty days a year after a year of service, and two days a month when service is more than six months and less than a year (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, article 29). The other states are under review.
The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.
Basis by country
| Country | Basis |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, article 29: 30 days a year after a year of service, and two days a month when service is between six and twelve months. |
| Saudi Arabia | Labour Law, article 109(1): at least 21 days, rising to 30 after five continuous years, paid in advance. No cash in lieu during service. |
| Bahrain | Under review |
| Qatar | Under review |
| Kuwait | Under review |
| Oman | Under review |
Sources
Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.
- Saudi Labour Law, art. 109https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/08381293-6388-48e2-8ad2-a9a700f2aa94/1
- UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, art. 29https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/ar/legislations/1541