Annual leave calculator for Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Choose your country, enter the period and any leave you have already taken, and see your leave balance and what it is worth.
Annual leave by country
| Country | Before 1 year | Years 1 to 5 | After 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | None | 21 days a year | 28 days a year |
| UAE | 2 days a month after 6 months | 30 days a year | 30 days a year |
| Saudi Arabia | Earned in proportion | 21 days a year | 30 days a year |
Sources: Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (Arts. 79 and 81), UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (Art. 29) with Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (Art. 19), and Saudi Labor Law (Arts. 109 and 111).
Which wage is used for leave pay
- UAE: unused leave paid out at termination is calculated on the basic wage (Art. 29 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Art. 19 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022).
- Qatar: leave pay is calculated on the basic wage (Arts. 79 and 81). Leave is counted only once the first year of service is complete.
- Saudi Arabia: both leave taken and unused leave paid out at termination are paid on the actual (full) wage, meaning basic plus fixed allowances (Arts. 109 and 111).
For example, 8 months in the UAE earns 8 × 2 = 16 days. On a basic wage of AED 15,000 that is 16 × 15,000 ÷ 30 = AED 8,000.
How the calculator works
It counts your service in days between the two dates you enter, turns that into years (days ÷ 365), and applies your country's rate for each year. It then subtracts the leave you have already taken in that period. If you enter a monthly wage, it values the remaining days at wage ÷ 30 per day.
Leave balance = leave earned for the period − leave taken
Leave pay = (monthly wage ÷ 30) × leave balance
Enter the period you want to check: from your start date to today, or to your last working day if you are leaving.
Worked examples
| Case | Earned | Taken | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE, 2 years, AED 9,000 basic | 60 days | 20 days | 40 days = AED 12,000 |
| Qatar, 6 years | 21 × 5 + 28 = 133 days | 110 days | 23 days |
| Saudi Arabia, 2 years | 42 days | 42 days | 0 days |
Example 1: leaving a job in Abu Dhabi
Rania worked 2 years in the UAE on a basic AED 9,000 and took 20 days of leave. She earned 2 × 30 = 60 days, so 40 are left. At 9,000 ÷ 30 = AED 300 a day, she is owed AED 12,000 for unused leave.
Example 2: six years in Doha
Hassan has worked 6 years in Qatar. The first 5 years earn 21 days each (105) and the sixth year earns 28, so 133 days in total. He has taken 110, so 23 days remain.
Example 3: two years in Jeddah
Mona has worked 2 years in Saudi Arabia, earning 21 × 2 = 42 days, and has taken all of them. Her balance is 0 days.
Common mistakes
- Applying the five-year rate too early. The higher rate starts only once service reaches five years.
- Assuming no leave in the first year. In the UAE you earn 2 days a month after six months; in Saudi Arabia leave is earned in proportion.
- Using total salary for leave pay in Qatar or for UAE end-of-service leave pay. Both use the basic wage. Saudi Arabia uses the full wage.
- Forgetting leave already taken. Enter every annual leave day you have used in the period.
Where to check or claim officially
If your employer disagrees with your figures or does not pay on time, these are the official routes. Keep your contract, payslips and a dated copy of any notice.
- Qatar: complain to the Ministry of Labour (Labour Relations Department). If it is not settled within a week, it goes to a Labour Dispute Settlement Committee, which decides within three weeks.
- UAE: file a labour complaint with MOHRE on its website or app, or call 600590000. If it is not settled within 14 days it goes to court; MOHRE can decide claims under AED 50,000 itself (u.ae labour disputes). A claim cannot be heard more than one year after the right became due (Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 54).
- Saudi Arabia: request amicable settlement of a labour dispute on HRSD's labour e-services (free; helpline 19911). If there is no settlement, the case goes to the labour court.
Read the final settlement checklist for payment deadlines and what the settlement must include.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do I get in Qatar?
Three weeks (21 days) a year once you complete one year of service, rising to four weeks (28 days) a year once your service reaches five years.
How many days of annual leave do I get in the UAE?
30 days a year once you complete one year. Between six months and one year of service you earn 2 days for each month.
How many days of annual leave do I get in Saudi Arabia?
21 days a year, rising to 30 days a year once you have worked five consecutive years for the same employer.
Are the days calendar days or working days?
The laws state annual leave in days or weeks without excluding weekends, and many employers count calendar days. Some contracts give working days instead. Check your contract.
Am I paid for unused leave when I leave the job?
Yes. In all three countries you are owed pay for leave you earned but did not take when your employment ends.
Which salary is used for leave pay?
In Qatar, leave pay is based on the basic wage (Arts. 79 and 81). In the UAE, unused leave paid out at termination is based on the basic wage (Art. 29 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Art. 19 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022). In Saudi Arabia, both leave pay and unused leave at termination use the actual (full) wage, including fixed allowances (Arts. 109 and 111).
This calculator gives an estimate based on the minimum leave in each law. Your contract or company policy may give more. For a dispute, contact your country's labour ministry or a lawyer.
Last verified on 2026-11-08 against Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (Arts. 79 and 81), UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (Art. 29) with Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (Art. 19), and Saudi Labor Law (Arts. 109 and 111).