If you work in the UAE, knowing your maternity and paternity leave rights protects your income, your job, and your time with your newborn. The rules around maternity and paternity leave in the UAE are more structured than most people realize. Private sector employees, federal government staff, and emirate-level government workers all fall under different frameworks, and the differences between them matter. This guide pulls everything together in one place, covering how many days you get, what you are paid, which sector rules apply to you, and how to actually submit your leave request without the back-and-forth.
Understanding UAE Maternity Leave Rules
UAE maternity leave falls under the UAE Labour Law and the amendments that followed. Female employees get 45 days of fully paid maternity leave, plus an additional 15 days at half pay. Leave can start up to 30 days before the expected delivery date.
Key conditions under the law:
- Employees need at least one full year of service with the same employer to qualify for paid maternity leave. Those who have not completed a year may still take leave, but it will be unpaid.
- If the child is born with a disability or illness, the mother is entitled to an additional 30 days of fully paid leave and a further 30 days of unpaid leave, provided a medical certificate from a recognized authority is submitted.
- Adoptive mothers who adopt a child under five years of age are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave under recent amendments to the Labour Law.
Following the end of maternity leave, and for a period not exceeding six months from the date of childbirth, the employee may leave the workplace for two hours daily to breastfeed. These hours are considered part of paid working hours.
UAE Maternity Leave Benefits
| Maternity Leave Type | Duration | Pay Status |
|---|---|---|
| Standard paid leave | 45 days | Full pay |
| Extended paid leave | 15 days | Half pay |
| Difficult birth (additional) | 15 days | Full pay |
| Child with disability (additional) | 30 days + 30 days | Full pay + Unpaid |
| Adoptive mothers | 90 days | Full pay |
What Is Paternity and Parental Leave in the UAE?
Both mothers and fathers in the private sector are entitled to 5 paid working days of parental leave. This leave can be taken any time from the date of birth up until the child turns six months old. It does not have to be taken all at once. Parents can split it across multiple days within that six-month window. Either parent can take it, and it can be used consecutively or on separate days within six months of birth.
A few things worth noting:
- Parental leave is separate from maternity leave. Mothers can use both.
- The 5 days are working days, not calendar days.
- It is a paid entitlement, not optional or discretionary. Employers are legally required to grant it.
- The leave window closes once the child reaches six months. It cannot be carried forward.
Can Fathers Take Paid Leave After Childbirth in the UAE?
Yes. Employees in the private sector are entitled to a parental leave of 5 working days from the day of the child's birth up to six months after. This parental leave is paid and can be applied for by both the mother and the father. This leave may be taken consecutively or intermittently from the date of birth until the child reaches 6 months of age.
Private vs. Government Sector Leave: Key Differences
| Leave Type | Private Sector | Federal Government |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity Leave (paid) | 45 days full pay + 15 days half pay | 90 days full pay |
| Parental Leave (father/mother) | 5 working days (paid) | 5 working days (paid) |
| Abu Dhabi Government (maternity) | N/A | 3 months full pay |
| Dubai Government (maternity) | N/A | 90 days full pay |
| Sharjah Government (maternity) | N/A | 90 days paid + 30 days unpaid |
Employee Rights During Maternity & Paternity Leave
- An employer cannot terminate a female employee solely on the grounds of pregnancy or while she is on maternity leave.
- Full salary and benefits must be maintained during the paid leave period.
- The employee retains her right to return to the same position or an equivalent role after leave.
- After resuming work, nursing mothers in the Dubai Government are entitled to two hours of reduced working hours per day for one year from the date of birth, with no nursing break applicable during Ramadan.
- Where a female employee gives birth to a child with special needs in the Dubai Government, she is granted childcare leave from the expiry of maternity leave until the child completes one year of age.
How to Apply for Maternity or Paternity Leave in the UAE?
- Notify your HR department or line manager in writing as early as possible, ideally before the leave start date.
- Submit a leave request with a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy or birth.
- Provide the birth certificate after delivery.
- Federal government employees apply through the Bayanati portal.
- For Dubai Government employees, the DGHR services portal handles leave submissions.
- Private sector employees should follow their company's internal HR procedures in compliance with UAE Labour Law.
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FAQs
How many days of maternity leave are allowed in the UAE private sector?
Female employees in the UAE private sector are entitled to 45 days of fully paid maternity leave and an additional 15 days at half pay, totaling 60 days under the standard provision.
What is the difference between maternity leave and parental leave in the UAE?
Maternity leave is for the mother only. Parental leave is a separate 5-day paid entitlement that either parent can use within six months of the birth.
How many days of paternity leave are available in the UAE?
Fathers in both sectors are entitled to 5 paid working days, taken at any time from birth until the child reaches six months.
What documents are required to apply for maternity leave in the UAE?
A medical certificate, formal leave application, and birth certificate after delivery are the standard requirements.
Do maternity leave rules differ between the private and government sectors?
Yes. Private sector employees receive 45 days at full pay plus 15 days at half pay. Federal government employees receive 90 days of fully paid maternity leave.
