UAE Maternity Leave Calculator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate UAE maternity leave — the federal Labour Law: 60 days (45 at full pay + 15 at half pay), +45 unpaid for pregnancy/delivery illness, +30 full +30 unpaid for a sick or disabled newborn, plus nursing hours.
Quick answer: UAE maternity: 60 days — first 45 full pay, next 15 half pay, regardless of tenure (the 2022 law removed service conditions on the entitlement). Extensions: +45 unpaid (medical complications), +30 paid +30 unpaid (ill/disabled child). Nursing: two half-hour breaks daily for 6 months post-return.
The Structure
| Period | Pay |
|---|---|
| Days 1-45 | Full pay |
| Days 46-60 | Half pay |
| +45 (maternal illness, certified) | Unpaid, job-protected |
| +30 / +30 (ill or disabled newborn) | Full pay / unpaid |
No minimum-service condition (the 2022 reform); leave may start up to 30 days pre-due-date; miscarriage/stillbirth after 6 months of pregnancy keeps the entitlement; and dismissal because of pregnancy or maternity leave is unlawful — compensation claims run through MOHRE.
Worked Example
AED 15,000 (500/day): 45 × 500 + 15 × 250 = AED 26,250 over 60 days (vs 30,000 full-pay equivalent — the half-pay fortnight costs 3,750). A sick-newborn extension adds 30 × 500 = 15,000 paid + 30 unpaid.
After Return
Nursing breaks: two daily half-hours (or one hour combined) for six months from delivery — paid, roster-protected. Parental leave: separate 5 working days per parent within the child’s first 6 months. DIFC/ADGM run their own (longer) schemes — 65 working days in DIFC with its own pay curve.
Practical Notes
Health insurance covers delivery (mandatory Dubai/AD policies — verify the maternity benefit tier and waiting periods BEFORE pregnancy where possible); leave pay flows through WPS payroll like wages. Sick leave (the 90-day tier) is separate and usable for certified pregnancy illness pre-delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is UAE maternity leave?
60 days — 45 at full pay, 15 at half — with no minimum-service requirement since the 2022 law.
Can it be extended?
+45 unpaid days for certified pregnancy/delivery illness, and +30 paid +30 unpaid where the newborn is ill or disabled.
What are nursing breaks?
Two paid half-hour breaks daily (or combined) for six months after delivery — in addition to normal rest breaks.
Is there paternity/parental leave?
Yes — 5 working days of parental leave per parent within the first six months; DIFC/ADGM schemes differ.
Can I be dismissed for pregnancy?
No — pregnancy/maternity-based termination is unlawful; MOHRE complaints and compensation follow proven cases.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026