UAE Sick Leave Calculator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate UAE sick leave pay — the federal Labour Law tier: up to 90 days per year: first 15 full pay, next 30 half pay, final 45 unpaid, after the probation + 3-month qualifier.
Quick answer: UAE sick leave (per year of service): 90 days max — 15 at full pay, 30 at half, 45 unpaid. Qualifier: completed probation + 3 months’ service. Notify within 3 working days with a medical certificate. Termination during lawful sick leave is restricted — but exhausting the 90 opens it.
The Tier
| Days | Pay |
|---|---|
| 1 - 15 | Full pay |
| 16 - 45 | Half pay |
| 46 - 90 | Unpaid |
| Beyond 90 | Employment may be terminated (with end-of-service dues intact) |
The 90-day bank renews per year of service; days count cumulatively across the year, not per illness. Qualifiers: past probation AND 3 months after it; illness must not stem from misconduct (intoxication, violation of safety rules — those forfeit pay).
Worked Example
AED 12,000/month (400/day), 25 sick days: 15 × 400 + 10 × 200 = AED 8,000 paid of the 10,000 the days would have earned — the half-pay band’s bite. At 60 days: 15 full + 30 half + 15 unpaid = AED 12,000 across 60 days — effectively one month’s pay for two months out.
Process Rules
Report within 3 working days with a certificate from an approved facility; employers may require examination. Resignation during sick leave stays valid; termination DURING paid sick leave is restricted — after the 90 days exhaust, termination with full gratuity becomes lawful. Probationers: unpaid sick leave only.
Free-Zone Variants
DIFC: 60 days (10 full / 20 half / 30 unpaid, DIFC Law) — ADGM similar; mainland’s 90-day tier doesn’t apply inside those regimes. Health insurance (mandatory in Dubai/Abu Dhabi) covers treatment; sick PAY is the employer’s lane. Long illness beyond 90 days moves to insurance/disability conversations — document everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is UAE sick leave paid?
Per year: days 1-15 full pay, 16-45 half pay, 46-90 unpaid — a 90-day annual maximum after probation + 3 months’ service.
Can I be fired while on sick leave?
Not during lawful paid sick leave — but once the 90 days exhaust without return, termination (with end-of-service dues) becomes permissible.
What are the notification rules?
Report the illness within 3 working days and provide a medical certificate from an approved provider.
Do probationers get paid sick leave?
No — during probation sick leave is unpaid; the full/half tiers need completed probation plus three months.
Are DIFC/ADGM rules different?
Yes — DIFC runs 60 days (10 full/20 half/30 unpaid); free-zone employment laws displace the mainland tier.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026