Maternity Leave in UAE: Complete Guide to Rights, Salary & Benefits

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Motherhood is one of life’s most profound journeys — in the UAE, it is supported with care, clarity, and commitment through clearly defined maternity leave benefits. If you are an employee preparing to welcome a child, an HR professional, or simply curious about your entitlements, understanding maternity leave in UAE is important.

📦 What Will You Learn Today?

🟢 The laws that govern maternity leave in UAE
🟢 What this leave actually means
🟢 Leave entitlements and salary benefits across public and private sectors
🟢 Additional benefits such as extended leave and paternity support
🟢 How maternity rights vary by emirate (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.)
🟢 Answers to the most common questions working women have

What Does Maternity Leave Really Mean?

Maternity leave in UAE refers to the legally granted period of absence from work for a female employee in connection with childbirth. This time off allows expecting or new mothers to recover physically, bond with their newborns, and manage early parenting responsibilities — all without fear of losing their job or pay.

In the UAE, maternity leave is more than just a personal right — it’s a legally protected employment benefit outlined under both federal labour laws and local government regulations.

💡 Quick Insight

Did you know?

As per the latest UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), women in the private sector are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave — a major step forward in workplace gender balance.

An Overview of the UAE Labour Law for Maternity

Legal Provision	Summary
Maternity Leave Duration	60 days (45 days full pay + 15 days half pay) for private sector
No Minimum Service Period	Maternity leave applies regardless of how long the employee has worked
Additional Leave	Up to 45 days of unpaid leave for postnatal complications
Flexible Work Post-Maternity	Women may request flexible hours for up to 6 months after returning
Job Protection Clause	Dismissal due to pregnancy or maternity leave is prohibited

Maternity leave in the UAE is firmly grounded in Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, also known as the UAE Labour Law. This law ensures that female employees receive fair maternity benefits, whether they are employed in the private or public sector.

It also sets clear expectations for employers, protects job security, and aligns with the UAE's broader efforts to support working women and gender equality.

All maternity leave entitlements are based on —

UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021)
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022
Government Human Resources Law (for federal government employees)
Emirate-specific resolutions for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and others

🧠 Did You Know?
Even adoption cases are supported under UAE labour law. A female worker who adopts an infant (under six months of age) is also eligible for maternity leave in the UAE!

How Long is Maternity Leave in UAE?

Maternity leave duration in the UAE is clearly defined by law and aims that female employees have sufficient time to prepare for childbirth and care for their newborns without fear of losing income or employment.

Both the private and public sectors follow different structures, but each guarantees a minimum amount of paid leave.

Sector	Duration	Pay Structure	Notes
Private Sector	60 calendar days	45 days with full pay + 15 days half pay	As per UAE Labour Law (2021)
Federal Govt.	90 days	Full pay	Additional benefit of 2 working hours reduced (daily) for nursing (for 6 months)
Dubai Govt.	90 days	Full pay	Option to combine with annual or unpaid leave
Abu Dhabi Govt.	3 months (90 days)	Full pay	Plus childcare leave afterward
Sharjah Govt.	90 days	Full pay	3 months paid leave, extendable with annual leave
RAK Govt.	90 days	Full pay	Similar terms as the federal framework

💡 Important to Know

The 60-day leave in the private sector is calculated as calendar days, not working days. That means weekends and holidays are included.
How the 60 Days Can Be Used (Private Sector)

A portion of the leave (up to 15 days) can be taken before delivery
The rest must be taken immediately after childbirth

After maternity leave ends, private sector employees can request

Up to 45 days of unpaid leave if complications arise
Flexible working hours for 6 months, including nursing breaks (2 hours/day)

Who is Eligible for Maternity Leave in the UAE?

Maternity leave in the UAE is designed to be inclusive and supportive and the eligibility criteria reflect that intent. Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria for maternity leave —

Criteria	Description
Employment Status	Must be a female employee under a valid UAE employment contract
Sector	Applies to both private and public sector
Nationality	Applies to both UAE nationals and expatriates
Service Duration Requirement	No minimum service needed for maternity leave entitlement (Private sector)
Adoption Cases	Maternity leave granted for adoption of a child under 6 months
Medical Certificate Requirement	Required to confirm expected due date or postnatal recovery

🟨 Quick Tip Box: Things to Prepare Before Applying

✔️ Official medical certificate (confirming pregnancy/due date)
✔️ Company policy (some firms may ask for advance notice)
✔️ Expected start and end dates of your leave
✔️ Any planned usage of annual leave combined with maternity

Maternity Leave for Private Sector Employees in the UAE

Female employees working in the private sector are protected under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), which sets clear standards for maternity leave duration, salary entitlement and job security. These rights apply across all emirates — including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and others — under the federal framework.

Features of Private Sector Maternity Leave in the UAE	Detail
Total Maternity Leave	60 calendar days
Pay Structure	First 45 days: full salary Next 15 days: half salary
Additional Leave	45 days unpaid (for health complications during/after pregnancy)
Nursing Breaks	2 paid hours daily for 6 months after returning to work
Flexibility Option	Possibility of remote/flexible work upon request and approval
Service Requirement	No minimum service duration required for eligibility

🧠 Good to Know!

One of the most progressive updates in the UAE Labour Law (2021) is that maternity leave in the UAE is granted regardless of how long you’ve worked at a company. Even if you're new, you're protected.

📦 Smart Tip: Combine Maternity + Annual Leave
Women in the private sector can extend their time off by adding —

Unpaid leave (if medically required)
Annual leave (if approved by the employer)

Maternity Leave for Public Sector Employees in the UAE

Maternity leave in the UAE public sector is more generous than in the private sector. Each emirate and the federal government has its own human resources law, but most follow a 90-day fully paid maternity leave structure — along with nursing time and optional extensions.

🏢 Federal Government

👩‍⚕️ Eligibility: Applies to all female employees working in ministries, authorities, and federal departments
📅 Leave Duration: 90 days of full paid maternity leave
🕑 Nursing Break: 2 paid hours daily for 6 months post return
➕ Can be combined with annual or unpaid leave

📜 Legal Reference: Federal Decree No. 11 of 2008 on Human Resources Law (Amended in 2019)

🏙️ Dubai Government

📅 Leave Duration: 90 days of fully paid maternity leave
💼 Extension Options

Can add up to 30 days of unpaid leave
Or combine it with annual leave

🍼 Nursing Breaks: 2 hours per day for 1 year

📌 Applies to employees under the Dubai Government Human Resources Management Law

🏰 Abu Dhabi Government

📅 Maternity Leave: 3 months (90 days) with full pay
🕐 Nursing Time: 2 hours daily for 1 full year
💡 May request flexible working hours after maternity leave

📌 Covered under Abu Dhabi Government HR Law (Amiri Decree)

🌉 Sharjah Government

📅 Leave Duration: 90 days (fully paid)
🕑 Nursing Hours: 2 hours daily for 6 months
➕ May combine with annual leave or unpaid leave

📌 Applies to local departments in the Sharjah Government

🏞️ Ras Al Khaimah Government

📅 Leave: 90 days with full pay
👩‍💻 Applies to all government employees of RAK
📌 Includes nursing time and extension rights similar to federal guidelines

Additional Leave Entitlement for Medical Reasons After Maternity

Even after the standard maternity leave ends, the UAE Labour Law provides extra protection and time off if the mother or baby experiences health complications.

This additional leave is unpaid, but it is fully protected by law — meaning your job remains secure, and no penalties can be applied.

🔄 When Can You Take Additional Leave?

If a female employee, after completing her standard maternity leave, is unable to resume work due to illness related to pregnancy or childbirth, she is entitled to —

📅 Up to 45 consecutive or intermittent days of unpaid leave
Condition: A medical certificate must be issued by a UAE-licensed medical authority, confirming the condition and need for rest

📌This right is protected under Article 30 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021).

🔍 Real-Life Example

👩 Rania returned to work after 60 days of maternity leave. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with postnatal depression. Her doctor prescribed a 20-day recovery period.

✅ Under UAE law, Rania is eligible to take 20 of the 45 unpaid days — and her employer must approve it based on the medical certificate.

Paternity Leave in the UAE

The UAE is among the first countries in the region to officially recognise paternity leave for private sector employees, under the landmark Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. This law supports both parents in welcoming and caring for a newborn during the early days of life.

📅 How Many Paternity Leaves are Granted?

Sector	Paternity Leave Duration	Paid?	When to Use
Private Sector	5 working days	✅ Yes	Within 6 months of child's birth
Public Sector	Varies by emirate	✅ Yes	Typically between 3–5 days

📌 Emirate-Specific Paternity Leave (Public Sector)

Government Entity	Days Granted	Paid?	Notes
Federal Govt.	3 days	✅	May be combined with annual leave
Dubai Govt.	3–5 days	✅	As per Dubai Human Resource Law
Abu Dhabi Govt.	3 days	✅	May vary by department
Sharjah & RAK	3–5 days	✅	Subject to internal HR policies

📦 Quick Tip: How to Apply for Paternity Leave

✔️ Notify your HR at least one week in advance
✔️ Submit a copy of your child’s birth certificate
✔️ Specify if you’ll take leave in one go or split days

📘 Note
Paternity leave is in addition to any annual or emergency leave you may have.

Health Insurance and Maternity Benefits in the UAE

Health coverage during pregnancy is a legal obligation in the UAE. Whether you're employed in the private sector or the public sector, maternity health insurance must be provided by your employer as part of your benefits package.

These benefits include everything from prenatal check-ups to delivery and postnatal care.

As per UAE Health Insurance Law (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), and UAE Labour Law —

Employers must provide medical insurance coverage to all employees
For female employees, this includes maternity services
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, dependents including spouses must also be insured

Maternity insurance in UAE generally provides the following benefits —

Service	Coverage Scope
Prenatal Check-Ups	Blood tests, ultrasounds, routine scans, and doctor visits
Hospital Delivery	Normal or C-section, with defined coverage limits (varies by policy)
Postnatal Care	Follow-up visits and care for complications within 30 days of delivery
Newborn Care	Usually includes the first 30 days (check your policy)
Room Type	Shared or private, depending on the policy

For instance, in Dubai, the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) provides:

AED 7,000 for normal delivery
AED 10,000 for cesarean section
10% co-payment by the employee (as per DHA guidelines)

📦 Smart Tip Box: What to Ask Your Insurance Provider

✔️ What’s the maximum coverage for delivery (normal/C-section)?
✔️ Does the plan include postnatal or newborn care?
✔️ Are specialist doctors and private hospitals included?
✔️ What documents are needed for reimbursement?

You are entitled to 60 calendar days of maternity leave in the UAE —