Sick Leave in the UAE: How It Works

Private-sector employees in the UAE can take up to 90 days of sick leave a year once their probation has ended, according to u.ae. The first 15 days are on full pay, the next 30 on half pay and the final 45 unpaid.

The rules come from Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its Executive Regulations. The 90 days can be taken in one block or spread through the year.

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.

How sick pay is calculated

What you must do

1. Tell your employer within three days of falling ill. This is required by Article 31 of the Labour Law.
2. Submit a medical report issued by a medical entity.

Your company may have its own procedure in addition, such as who to notify and how; check your handbook.

Probation

Paid sick leave is not available during probation. u.ae says you may still be given sick leave without pay, with your employer's approval and a medical report confirming the leave is needed. The 90-day entitlement, and the pay bands above, begin only once probation has ended.

When sick pay is not due

u.ae lists three situations where paid sick leave is not due:

• during probation;
• where the illness results directly from the worker's own misconduct, such as alcohol or drug use;
• where the worker broke safety instructions they had been told about, under UAE law and company rules.

These exclusions do not apply to sick leave for an occupational illness. Injuries and diseases caused by work are handled under separate rules: u.ae says employers must report a workplace injury to MoHRE within 48 hours and must treat and compensate injured workers under the Labour Law.

Protection from dismissal

An employer may not dismiss you, or give you a termination notice, while you are on sick leave. If you use all 90 days and still cannot return to work, u.ae says the employer may end your employment, and you receive end-of-service benefits under the Labour Law.

Pregnancy and family

Sick leave is available during pregnancy on the usual terms, including for pregnancy-related illness, Gulf News reported in January 2026. Maternity leave itself is a separate entitlement, as is leave to care for a sick or disabled newborn; see our guide to maternity, paternity and parental leave. For holiday entitlement, see annual leave in the UAE.

What to check

• When your probation ends, since paid sick leave starts after it.
• How many sick days you have already taken this year.
• Your company's notification procedure, alongside the three-day legal limit.
• Whether your employer is mainland, free zone or government.

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