Paternity Leave - 5 Days (UAE)

A statutory paid leave entitlement under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 that grants private-sector working fathers five consecutive or non-consecutive working days of fully paid paternity leave within the first six months of a child's birth.

What Is Paternity Leave in the UAE?

Key Takeaways

  • ✓UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 introduced five working days of paid paternity leave for private-sector employees, effective February 2, 2022.
  • ✓The leave can be taken consecutively or spread across non-consecutive days within six months of the child's birth.
  • ✓The employee receives full pay during the five days. There's no reduction or cap on salary.
  • ✓Before this law, the UAE had no statutory paternity leave. Fathers relied entirely on employer goodwill or annual leave.
  • ✓The entitlement applies to all private-sector employees regardless of nationality, religion, salary level, or length of service.

Paternity leave in the UAE is a recent addition to the country's labor framework. Before February 2022, fathers in the private sector had zero statutory right to time off when their child was born. They'd either dip into annual leave, negotiate unpaid days, or simply show up to work the day after the delivery. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 changed that by granting five working days of fully paid paternity leave. Five days isn't generous by global standards, but for the UAE it was a significant shift. The previous labor law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980) didn't mention paternity leave at all. The new law also brought maternity leave improvements, anti-discrimination provisions, and flexible working arrangements. What makes the UAE's paternity leave practical is its flexibility. The five days don't have to be taken in one block. A father can take two days right after the birth, then use the remaining three days later for doctor's appointments, nursery setup, or supporting his partner during the adjustment period. All five days just need to fall within six months of the birth date.

5 daysTotal paid paternity leave entitlement for private-sector employees in the UAE (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021)
6 monthsWindow after the child's birth within which the paternity leave must be used
100%Pay rate during paternity leave, based on the employee's full salary
Feb 2022Effective date when paternity leave became a statutory right in the UAE for the first time

Who Qualifies for Paternity Leave in the UAE

The eligibility rules are simpler than in many countries. Here's who can and can't claim the five days.

Private-sector employees

All employees working under the UAE Federal Labour Law qualify. There's no minimum service period. A father who started work last month and whose child is born this month gets the full five days. Part-time, full-time, and temporary employees are all covered. The law doesn't distinguish between different contract types when it comes to paternity leave eligibility.

Free zone employees

Most UAE free zones follow the federal labour law for paternity leave. However, the DIFC and ADGM have their own employment legislation. DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019 provides five working days of paid paternity leave as well. ADGM's employment regulations also include paternity leave. Employees in these financial free zones should check their specific zone's legislation, though the entitlement tends to match the federal standard.

Government-sector employees

Federal government employees in the UAE get different leave entitlements under separate legislation. Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2008 and its amendments govern government employee benefits. Several emirates also set their own rules for local government staff. Abu Dhabi government employees, for example, may receive different paternity leave terms than federal government employees.

How to Take Paternity Leave in the UAE

The process is straightforward, but employees should plan ahead to avoid administrative hiccups.

Notification and documentation

Notify your employer as soon as possible, ideally before the expected due date. While the law doesn't set a specific notice period, giving your HR team advance warning helps with scheduling. You'll need to provide a copy of the child's birth certificate. Some employers also request a copy of the marriage certificate, though this isn't explicitly required by law.

Flexible scheduling

You can take all five days at once or split them into individual days. This flexibility is written into the law. If you plan to split the leave, coordinate with your manager and HR team. There's nothing stopping you from taking one day per week over five weeks, as long as all days fall within six months of the birth. Most fathers take the first two or three days immediately after the birth and save the rest for later.

Interaction with other leave types

Paternity leave is a separate entitlement from annual leave, sick leave, or any other statutory leave. Your employer can't force you to use annual leave instead of paternity leave. If you've already booked annual leave around the birth date, you can convert those days to paternity leave once you have the birth certificate. The five days don't reduce your annual leave balance.

Employer Obligations Under UAE Paternity Leave

Employers bear several responsibilities when an employee takes paternity leave. Non-compliance can trigger MOHRE complaints and penalties.

  • Pay the employee's full salary for all five days. No deductions, no reduced rate, no conditions tied to performance.
  • Don't require the employee to work remotely during paternity leave. It's time off, not a work-from-home arrangement.
  • Process the leave request promptly. Delaying approval or creating bureaucratic obstacles violates the spirit of the law.
  • Maintain all benefits during the leave period: medical insurance, housing allowance, transportation allowance, and any other contractual entitlements continue.
  • Record the paternity leave separately from annual leave or personal leave in your HRIS or attendance system.
  • Don't penalize or discriminate against employees who take paternity leave. This includes subtle actions like excluding them from projects or delaying promotions.

UAE Paternity Leave vs Other Gulf Countries

The UAE was one of the first GCC countries to mandate paternity leave. Here's how the region compares.

CountryDurationPay RateEnactedKey Details
UAE5 working days100%2022Consecutive or non-consecutive within 6 months
Saudi Arabia3 days100%2005 (updated 2023)Under Article 113 of the Saudi Labour Law
Bahrain1 day100%2012Minimal entitlement under Labour Law
Qatar3 days100%2004Under the Qatar Labour Law
Oman7 days100%2023Under the new Oman Labour Law, one of the most generous in the GCC
Kuwait3 days100%2010Under the Private Sector Labour Law

Best Practices for Managing Paternity Leave

Five days isn't much time. Smart HR teams can make the experience better for new fathers and the business.

Create a clear policy document

Even though the law is straightforward, put your paternity leave policy in writing. Include the five-day entitlement, how to request it, what documentation is needed, and the six-month window. Mention any additional company-provided paternity leave if you offer more than the statutory minimum. Many UAE companies in tech, finance, and professional services now offer two to four weeks as a competitive benefit.

Encourage uptake

Some fathers don't take their full five days because of workload pressure or workplace culture. Senior leaders taking paternity leave sets a positive example. Make it normal, not something that requires justification. Track usage rates and if uptake is low, investigate whether cultural or managerial barriers exist.

Plan for coverage

Five days is a manageable absence for most teams. Cross-train team members so that one person's absence doesn't create a crisis. Having a simple handover template for fathers to complete before their leave starts keeps projects on track without adding stress.

Paternity Leave Statistics in the UAE [2026]

Data on paternity leave adoption and its impact in the UAE since the 2022 introduction.

5 days
Statutory paid paternity leave entitlement in the UAE private sectorFederal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
0 days
Paternity leave under the previous UAE labour law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980)UAE Government
72%
Of eligible fathers in the UAE who used paternity leave in 2024MOHRE Annual Report, 2024
6 months
Maximum window after birth to use all five days of paternity leaveArticle 32, Federal Decree-Law No. 33

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I qualify for paternity leave if I'm on probation?

Yes. Unlike sick leave, paternity leave has no probation exclusion in the UAE. Whether you've been with your employer for one day or ten years, you're entitled to five days of fully paid paternity leave when your child is born.

Can I take paternity leave for an adopted child?

The law specifically refers to the birth of a child. Adoption isn't addressed in the paternity leave provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. However, some employers include adoption in their internal leave policies. Check your company's employee handbook or discuss it with HR.

What if my child is born while I'm on annual leave?

You can request to convert the relevant days from annual leave to paternity leave. This preserves your annual leave balance. You'll need to provide the birth certificate to your HR department promptly to facilitate the change.

Does the five-day entitlement apply for each child in a multiple birth?

Twins or triplets from a single birth event entitle the father to five days total, not five days per child. The entitlement is per birth event, not per child born. However, if you have two separate children born in the same year, each birth triggers a new five-day entitlement.

Can my employer refuse my paternity leave?

No. Paternity leave is a statutory right under UAE law. If your employer refuses or tries to pressure you into not taking it, you can file a complaint with MOHRE. The complaint process is accessible online through the MOHRE website or app.

Is paternity leave available in DIFC and ADGM free zones?

Yes. Both DIFC and ADGM have paternity leave provisions in their respective employment laws. DIFC provides five working days of paid paternity leave. ADGM's employment regulations include similar provisions. The specifics may differ slightly from federal law, so check your free zone's employment regulations for exact details.
Adithyan RKWritten by Adithyan RK
Surya N
Fact-checked by Surya N
Published on: 25 Mar 2026Last updated:
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