Maternity leave in the UAE: how many days, how much pay, what else you are entitled to
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
In the UAE private sector, maternity leave is 60 days: 45 days on full pay and 15 on half pay, with up to 45 more unpaid days if you are ill after the birth and paid nursing breaks of up to one hour a day for 6 months. Federal government employees get 90 days on full pay. DIFC and ADGM have their own rules.
Maternity leave in the UAE private sector, in one table
If you work for a private company on the mainland or in most free zones, your rights come from Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law. Here is what u.ae and Article 30 of the law say, as of October 2026.
| Right | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Length and pay | 60 days: the first 45 days on full pay, the following 15 days on half pay |
| Start | You may apply up to 30 days before your expected date of delivery (u.ae), with a medical certificate |
| Who qualifies | The leave applies if the birth took place 6 months or more after the start of pregnancy, whether the baby was born alive or stillborn, or born alive and then died |
| If you are ill after the birth | Up to 45 more days without pay, continuous or in separate days, with a medical certificate showing illness from pregnancy or childbirth |
| If your baby is sick or has a disability | 30 more days on full pay after maternity leave, extendable by 30 days without pay, on a medical report showing the child needs a constant companion |
| Nursing breaks | For up to 6 months after the birth: one or two breaks a day, together no more than one hour, fully paid |
| Protection | Your employer may not dismiss you or give you notice because of your pregnancy, maternity leave or these absences |
| Other leave | Maternity leave does not affect your other leave entitlements |
Article 30, as published on u.ae, does not set a minimum length of service for maternity leave: its condition is about the pregnancy (a birth 6 months or more after conception). If your contract or HR says otherwise, ask them which provision they rely on.
A closer look at the details people ask about
When exactly can my leave start?
u.ae phrases it simply: you may apply for maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected date of delivery. The English text of the law says the employer shall grant leave at any time from the last day of the month immediately before the month in which you are expected to give birth, proven by a medical certificate. In practice, agree the start date with HR in writing, with your doctor's certificate attached.
Is the 15 days on half pay calculated on my basic salary?
The law says "half wage". How "wage" is calculated for leave (basic salary or total package) depends on your contract and the Labour Law's definitions: ask HR to state, in writing, the amount you will receive for each part of your leave.
Can I add annual leave?
Article 30 says maternity leave does not prejudice your right to other leave. Many women add annual leave to the end of maternity leave; agree it with your employer in advance. You can also ask for unpaid leave: the Labour Law allows unpaid leave with your employer's approval.
What if I take another job during my leave?
Article 30 states that if a worker works for another employer during her leave, the original employer may withhold her pay for the leave period or recover what it paid.
Maternity leave in government jobs
u.ae summarises the rules in the public sector as follows, as of October 2026.
| Employer | Maternity leave | Nursing time |
|---|---|---|
| Federal government (Federal Decree-Law No. 49 of 2022, Article 19) | 90 days on full pay, for an employee appointed to a permanent position | Two hours a day for up to 6 months from the birth, counted as paid working hours |
| Abu Dhabi government | 3 months, fully paid | Two hours a day for the first year after delivery |
| Dubai government (Decree No. 14 of 2017) | 90 days from the delivery date; may start up to 30 days before the due date; annual and unpaid leave can bring the total to 120 days | Two hours of reduced hours a day for one year, at the start or end of the day; no nursing break during Ramadan |
| Sharjah government | 120 days: 90 paid and 30 unpaid; annual leave can be added | Two hours a day for six months |
| Ras Al Khaimah government | 90 days paid | Nursing period of one year from the birth |
In Dubai's government, an employee who gives birth to a baby with special needs is also granted childcare leave from the end of maternity leave until the baby's first birthday, according to u.ae. Federal employees apply through the Bayanati system.
DIFC, ADGM and free zones
The Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market have their own employment legislation with their own maternity and paternity provisions. If your employer is registered there, the federal table above does not apply to you: ask HR for the exact article, or read the employment pages of the DIFC or ADGM. Most other free zones follow the federal Labour Law; your contract will say.
A worked example
You work for a private company in Dubai and your baby is due on 20 March.
- In January, you check your contract: some employers give more than the legal minimum.
- In February, you ask HR in writing to start your leave on, say, 1 March, with a medical certificate.
- From 1 March, you receive 45 days on full pay, then 15 days on half pay: 60 days in all.
- If complications after the birth keep you from working, you can take up to 45 more days unpaid, with a medical certificate.
- Back at work, you agree your nursing breaks, up to one hour a day in total, paid, until your baby is 6 months old.
- Your partner, if employed in the private sector, takes 5 paid working days of parental leave within the first 6 months.
A short letter to request your leave
Good to know
"Dear [name], I am pleased to let you know that I am pregnant, with an expected date of delivery of [date], as shown in the attached medical certificate. In accordance with Article 30 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and company policy, I would like to request maternity leave from [date]. Could you please confirm in writing my leave dates, the pay for each period, and any additional company benefits? I will prepare a handover plan before I leave. Kind regards, [name]."
Before you go on leave: a checklist
If your rights are not respected
Talk to HR first, in writing. For private sector employees, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) handles labour complaints; u.ae lists the labour complaints hotline as 600590000. Keep copies of your contract, your leave request and every reply.
Everything for your UAE pregnancy, in one place
Leave is one part of the picture. Our full guide to having a baby in the UAE as an expat covers insurance, hospitals and your baby's papers; the printable ebook adds tables, a timeline and pages to fill in.
Questions parents ask
How many days is maternity leave in the UAE private sector?
60 days under the Labour Law, the first 45 on full pay and the next 15 on half pay, as of October 2026.
Can I start maternity leave before my due date?
Yes. u.ae says you may apply for maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected date of delivery, with a medical certificate.
Can my employer dismiss me because I am pregnant?
No. Article 30 of the Labour Law forbids terminating a worker or giving her notice because of her pregnancy, her maternity leave or the related absences.
Is maternity leave longer in government jobs?
Yes. u.ae lists 90 days on full pay in the federal government, 3 months in Abu Dhabi government, 90 days in Dubai government and 90 paid plus 30 unpaid days in Sharjah government.
Do I get maternity leave if I work in the DIFC or ADGM?
Yes, but under their own employment laws, which set different rules from the federal Labour Law. Ask HR for the article that applies to you.
Sources
- u.ae — Types of leaves in the private sector (maternity leave, parental leave) checked October 13, 2026
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law), English text on u.ae, Article 30 checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Maternity and paternity leave in the government sector checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Handling emergencies (labour complaints hotline) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.