Paternity leave in the UAE: what fathers and partners are entitled to
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
In the UAE private sector, a worker with a newborn child, father or mother, is entitled to 5 working days of paid parental leave, taken in one block or in separate days within 6 months of the birth. Federal government employees get the same 5 days. Abu Dhabi and Dubai government employees get 3 days of paternity leave.
The short answer, by employer
| If you work for | Leave for a new father or partner (u.ae, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| A private company (Labour Law) | 5 working days, paid, continuously or in separate days, within 6 months of the birth |
| The federal government (Federal Decree-Law No. 49 of 2022, Article 20) | 5 working days, paid, continuously or in separate days, from the birth until the child is 6 months old |
| The Abu Dhabi government | 3 days of paternity leave |
| The Dubai government (Law No. 8 of 2018) | 3 days, fully paid, within one month of the birth |
| The DIFC or ADGM | Their own employment law: ask HR for the article that applies |
What the Labour Law says, word for word
Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 lists the paid leaves a worker is entitled to. Among them: "a parental leave for a period of (5) five working days, for the worker (either the father or mother), who has a newly born child, in order to take care of his child and the worker is entitled to such leave for a continuous or intermittent period, within (6) six months from the date of the child birth".
u.ae adds that the leave was introduced with amendments to the Labour Law approved in August 2020, that it is paid, and that it can be applied for by both the mother and the father. In other words, it is not only "paternity" leave: a working mother is also entitled to it, on top of her maternity leave.
How to use your 5 days well
Five days go fast. Many partners find that spreading them helps more than taking them all at once.
| When | Why it can help |
|---|---|
| The day of the birth and the day after | Being there for the birth and the first hours |
| The day you bring the baby home | Settling in, the first night |
| A day in the first or second week | Birth certificate errands, insurance, embassy appointment |
| A day around week 6 | Often the hardest stretch of sleep loss; also a good moment for a medical check-up for the mother |
| A day before day 120 | The baby's residence visa and Emirates ID |
Agree the dates with your manager in advance, in writing, and keep some flexibility: babies rarely arrive on their due date.
The paperwork that usually falls to the partner
While the mother recovers, the partner often runs the errands. Here are the deadlines u.ae gives for residents:
Our step-by-step guide to the birth certificate and newborn visa explains each step.
For the partner
Your most useful jobs in the first six weeks: protect the mother's rest, take the night feeds you can, keep visits short, handle the paperwork, and watch for warning signs after the birth: heavy bleeding, fever, a painful swollen leg, chest pain or breathlessness, or a low mood that does not lift. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998.
Can I take more time off?
The 5 days are the legal minimum in the private sector. Your employer may offer more: check your contract and company policy. You can also ask to use annual leave, or request unpaid leave, which the Labour Law allows with your employer's approval.
A short message to your manager
Good to know
"Dear [name], our baby is due on [date]. Under Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, I would like to take my 5 working days of parental leave on [dates], and I may adjust them depending on the birth date. I will make sure my work is covered. Kind regards, [name]."
What about the mother?
Mothers in the private sector get 60 days of maternity leave, 45 on full pay and 15 on half pay, plus paid nursing breaks for 6 months, and are entitled to the 5 days of parental leave too. Our page on maternity leave in the UAE has the full rules for every employer type.
The whole picture
Insurance, hospitals, leave and papers are all in our guide to having a baby in the UAE as an expat, and in the printable ebook, which includes a partner chapter and a timeline you can tick off together.
Questions parents ask
How many days of paternity leave do fathers get in the UAE?
In the private sector, 5 paid working days of parental leave within 6 months of the birth, under Article 32 of the Labour Law. Federal government employees also get 5 working days. Abu Dhabi and Dubai government employees get 3 days.
Do I have to take the 5 days in one go?
No. The Labour Law allows the parental leave to be taken continuously or intermittently within 6 months from the date of birth.
Is parental leave only for fathers?
No. u.ae states that the parental leave can be applied for by both the mother and the father of the baby, if they work in the private sector.
Is parental leave paid?
Yes. It is listed among the paid leaves in Article 32 of the Labour Law.
Sources
- u.ae — Types of leaves in the private sector (parental leave) checked October 13, 2026
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law), English text on u.ae, Article 32 checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Maternity and paternity leave in the government sector checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Having a baby (birth certificate, 30 days, 120 days) 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.