UAE maternity leave is 60 calendar days: 45 days at full basic salary + 15 days at half pay. Leave can start up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. Employers cannot dismiss a pregnant employee or one on maternity leave. Paternity leave: 5 working days within 6 months of birth.
Maternity leave — full entitlement
Under UAE Labour Law 2021 (Article 30), female employees who have completed at least one year of service are entitled to 60 calendar days of maternity leave:
- First 45 days: Full basic salary
- Next 15 days: Half basic salary
- Timing: Can start up to 30 days before the expected delivery date — making a total of up to 60 days before and after birth
- Post-birth complications: If the mother or child experiences medical complications after birth, an additional 45 days of unpaid leave is available
- Death during maternity: If the mother passes away, the employer must grant the father full access to the child’s legal guardianship leave provisions
Employees who have not completed one year of service are also entitled to maternity leave under UAE Labour Law — the 1-year requirement relates to some enhanced benefits. The core 60-day entitlement applies from day one of employment. Check your free zone authority’s specific rules as DIFC and ADGM may differ.
Protection from dismissal during pregnancy and maternity leave
UAE Labour Law prohibits employers from dismissing an employee because of pregnancy or while she is on maternity leave. Dismissal during these periods is deemed arbitrary dismissal — the employer must pay compensation equivalent to 3 months’ gross salary in addition to all end-of-service entitlements.
This protection extends from the moment the employer is notified of the pregnancy. A general workforce restructuring may still lawfully affect a pregnant employee — but the reason for dismissal cannot be the pregnancy or planned maternity leave, and the employer must demonstrate a legitimate business reason unrelated to the pregnancy.
If you genuinely need to make a pregnant employee redundant as part of a legitimate business restructure, document the commercial rationale before taking any action — financial statements showing the need, MOHRE consultation, equal application to other roles. Insufficient documentation = arbitrary dismissal = 3 months’ gross salary compensation.
Breastfeeding break and childcare entitlement
For one year after birth, a female employee is entitled to two 30-minute nursing breaks per working day (total 1 hour per day) for breastfeeding. These breaks are paid and do not reduce leave entitlement.
After returning from maternity leave, the employer cannot assign the employee to work that is medically documented as harmful to the breastfeeding mother or infant.
Paternity leave — 5 working days
Male employees are entitled to 5 working days of paid paternity leave within 6 months of the birth of their child. This was introduced under UAE Labour Law 2021 (previously, paternity leave was not mandated under federal law).
Paternity leave applies to the birth of any child — first child, subsequent children, and twin/multiple births. The 5 days are the same regardless of the number of children born in the event.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days is UAE maternity leave?+
60 calendar days: 45 days at full basic salary, then 15 days at half pay. Can start up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. If medical complications arise post-birth, an additional 45 days of unpaid leave is available.
Can UAE employers dismiss a pregnant employee?+
No. Dismissing an employee because of pregnancy or while on maternity leave is prohibited and constitutes arbitrary dismissal. Compensation: 3 months’ gross salary plus all end-of-service entitlements. General restructuring with a documented, genuine business reason is possible but requires careful documentation.
What is UAE paternity leave?+
5 working days of paid paternity leave, available within 6 months of the child’s birth. Introduced under UAE Labour Law 2021. Applies to all births regardless of the number of children in that birth event.
What are breastfeeding rights for UAE employees?+
Female employees returning from maternity leave are entitled to two 30-minute paid nursing breaks per working day for one year after birth. Employers cannot assign returning mothers to work documented as harmful to breastfeeding.
Does maternity leave count toward annual leave entitlement?+
No. Maternity leave is a separate statutory entitlement and does not affect or reduce the employee’s annual leave balance. The employee accrues annual leave during maternity leave and is entitled to take it separately.
Can UAE maternity leave start before birth?+
Yes. Maternity leave can start up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. The total leave remains 60 days — starting earlier means less post-birth leave. The expected delivery date must be supported by a medical certificate.