Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in the UAE

A female employee in the UAE private sector is entitled to 60 days of maternity leave under Article 30 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, according to u.ae. Gulf News reported in January 2026 that this is made up of 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay.

Separately, either parent can take five working days of paid parental leave in the six months after the birth, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

This guide covers the federal UAE Labour Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which applies to mainland private-sector employers. Free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) may have their own employment rules, and government employees fall under separate HR rules, so check which regime applies to you.

Maternity leave at a glance

EntitlementLengthPay Maternity leave60 days45 days full pay, 15 days half pay Illness from pregnancy or childbirthUp to 45 more daysUnpaid Sick child or child with a disability30 more days, extendable by 30First 30 fully paid; extension unpaid Nursing breaksUp to 1 hour a day for 6 monthsFully paid Parental leave (either parent)5 working days within 6 months of birthFully paid

Starting maternity leave

u.ae says a mother may request maternity leave up to 30 days before her expected delivery date. If a pregnancy that lasted at least six months ends in stillbirth, or the newborn dies, the mother keeps her full maternity leave and pay, Gulf News reported.

Extra leave

Illness after pregnancy or childbirth. If an illness resulting from pregnancy or childbirth prevents a mother from returning to work, she may take up to 45 additional days without pay. A medical certificate from the relevant medical authority is required, and the days can be taken together or separately.

A sick child or a child with a disability. A mother may take 30 additional days on full pay, which can be extended by a further 30 days without pay. Again, a medical certificate is required.

Ordinary sick leave is also available during pregnancy on the usual terms; see how sick leave works.

Back at work: nursing breaks

For six months from the date of delivery, a mother is entitled to one or two breaks a day to nurse her child, totalling no more than one hour. u.ae says these breaks are fully paid, and Gulf News notes they count as working hours.

Parental leave for fathers and mothers

The private sector does not have a separately named paternity leave. Instead, MoHRE lists five working days of paid parental leave for either parent of a newborn. It can be taken in one go or split up, as long as it falls within six months of the birth. MoHRE says special leave of this kind must be supported by documents from the relevant authorities.

What to check

• Your contract or company policy, which may offer more than the legal minimum.
• The medical certificates needed for any extra leave.
• When the six-month window for parental leave and nursing breaks ends.
• Whether you work in a free zone or for government, where different rules can apply.

For general information, not legal advice. Details can change; check with MoHRE or u.ae before relying on them.