In February 2026, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) clarified how annual leave works, especially around carrying over unused days to the next year. This has become a key topic for workers planning time off or negotiating leave with employers.
Standard leave entitlement in the UAE
Employees in the UAE are entitled to at least 30 days of fully paid annual leave for each completed year of service after six months on the job. If you have worked more than six months but less than a full year, you earn 2 days of leave for each month worked.
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Most full-time workers thus see their 30 days credited once they hit a year on the job and employers typically schedule this in agreement with staff or on a rotational basis with at least one month’s notice.
Can you carry leave forward to the next year in the UAE?
Yes but only with employer approval. The ministry confirms that unused annual leave can be carried forward to the next year if both the employee and employer agree. However, key legal interpretations (under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022) say:
- You may carry forward up to half of your annual leave from one year to the next i.e., up to 15 days if your entitlement was 30 days, with employer consent.
- If you leave your job before using your leave, you must be paid for any unused days, calculated on your basic salary.
These rules reflect Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations and its executive regulations.
UAE’s two-year leave rule: What it means
The law also states that employers cannot stop employees from using their accrued annual leave for more than two years unless the employee asks to carry it forward or to be paid instead. In practice this means many employers will try to schedule a worker’s unused leave within two years or negotiate a carry-forward or payout well before that deadline and they must grant at least some leave in any two-year period.
Cash in lieu of leave
If you and your employer agree, unused leave days can be converted into cash instead of time off. The payout is based on your basic salary at the time the leave was due.
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This option often comes up when workers and employers cannot agree on leave dates but legally, cash in lieu is not automatic. It depends on mutual consent or company policy.
Key takeaways for employees
- Plan ahead: Annual leave should normally be taken in the year it’s earned.
- Carry-forward requires agreement: You must get employer approval to carry days over to next year.
- Unused days have value: If you quit or can’t take your leave, you are still entitled to payment for those days.
- Two-year protection: Employers can’t block you from using long-unused leave for more than two years unless you request it carried forward or paid.
As workplaces in the UAE continue adapting in 2026, with a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing and compliance with updated labour laws, understanding your annual leave rights can help avoid disputes, support better work–life balance planning, and ensure you receive full benefits you are legally entitled to.
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