The UAE provides fathers with 5 working days of paid paternity leave under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), which took effect on 2 February 2022. The leave was a significant expansion of employee rights in the UAE, where statutory leave entitlements have historically been limited.
This guide covers UAE paternity leave in 2026: the 5-day entitlement, the pay calculation, employer obligations, and how the leave fits alongside other UAE leave entitlements.
Key takeaways
- Fathers in the UAE are entitled to 5 working days of paid paternity leave under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law), effective 2 February 2022.
- The leave is paid at the employee’s normal daily wage.
- Paternity leave must be taken within 6 months of the child’s birth.
- The leave is in addition to other leave entitlements — annual leave, sick leave, and compassionate leave are separate.
- The entitlement applies to all employees in the private sector, regardless of nationality or gender.
- The UAE does not have a statutory maternity leave for fathers — paternity leave is the only birth-related leave for male employees.
The statutory entitlement
The UAE Labour Law was reformed in 2021, replacing the old Federal Law No. 8 of 1980. The new law introduced several employee-friendly provisions, including paternity leave.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 working days |
| Pay rate | Normal daily wage |
| Timing | Within 6 months of birth |
| Splitting | Consecutive (not split) |
| Eligibility | All private-sector employees |
| Service requirement | None |
| Public sector | Subject to separate government rules |
The 5-day entitlement is per child — fathers of twins receive 5 days, not 10. The leave must be taken as a continuous block (it cannot be split into separate periods).
How paternity leave pay works
Paternity leave pay is funded by the employer, not a social insurance system.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay rate | Normal daily wage |
| Payment source | Employer |
| Payment timing | Normal pay day |
| Waiting period | None |
| Tax treatment | No income tax in UAE |
The UAE has no income tax, so paternity leave pay is not subject to deduction. The employee receives their full daily wage for the 5-day period.
Other leave entitlements
The UAE Labour Law provides several other leave types that interact with paternity leave:
| Leave type | Duration | Pay | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paternity leave | 5 working days | Full daily wage | Father, private sector |
| Maternity leave | 60 days | Full daily wage (45 days) / half (15 days) | Mother, private sector |
| Annual leave | 30 days per year | Full salary | After 6 months of service |
| Sick leave | 90 days per year | Full (15 days) / half (30 days) / unpaid (45 days) | After 3 months of service |
| Compassionate leave | 3–5 days | Full salary | Death of spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent |
Paternity leave is in addition to all other leave types. The employee does not need to exhaust annual leave before taking paternity leave.
Employer obligations
UAE employers have the following duties:
- Grant the 5-day paternity leave — the employer must provide it when requested.
- Pay the normal daily wage — for the 5-day period.
- Maintain employment — the employee’s position and benefits are protected during leave.
- Do not dismiss or penalise the employee for taking or planning to take paternity leave.
- Comply with the new Labour Law — the 2021 reform applies to all private-sector employers.
Worked example
Ahmed works for a construction company in Dubai. His wife gives birth on 1 March 2026. Ahmed is entitled to 5 working days of paternity leave.
Ahmed takes the leave immediately after birth (2–6 March 2026). His daily wage is AED 800. Paternity leave pay is AED 800 per day for 5 days = AED 4,000 total.
Ahmed’s wife takes her 60 days of maternity leave at full salary (first 45 days) and half salary (last 15 days). Both parents take leave concurrently for the first 5 days.
Ahmed also has 30 days of annual leave accrued. The paternity leave is separate and does not affect his annual leave balance.
Public sector employees
Paternity leave for public-sector employees is governed by separate government rules, not the UAE Labour Law. Federal government employees are entitled to paternity leave under the Human Resources Law of the Federal Government, which provides similar entitlements. Emirate-level government entities (e.g., Dubai Government, Abu Dhabi Government) have their own HR regulations.
Employers in the public sector should check the applicable government HR regulation rather than the UAE Labour Law.
Common pitfalls
1. Assuming the leave is only for Emirati nationals
The UAE Labour Law applies to all employees in the private sector, regardless of nationality. Expatriate employees have the same paternity leave entitlements as UAE nationals.
2. Trying to split the leave into blocks
The 5-day paternity leave must be taken as a continuous block. Unlike some other jurisdictions, it cannot be split into separate periods.
3. Not paying the full daily wage
The employer must pay the employee’s normal daily wage for the 5-day period. Deducting the leave from annual leave or other entitlements is not permitted.
4. Confusing paternity leave with maternity leave
The father’s 5-day paternity leave is separate from the mother’s 60-day maternity leave. They are independent entitlements with different rules.
5. Assuming paternity leave is multiplied for multiples
The 5-day entitlement is per child, not per birth event. Fathers of twins receive 5 days, not 10.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paternity leave does the UAE provide?
The UAE provides 5 working days of paid paternity leave, paid at the employee’s normal daily wage.
When must paternity leave be taken?
Paternity leave must be taken within 6 months of the child’s birth.
Who pays for paternity leave?
The employer pays the employee’s normal daily wage for the 5-day period. There is no social insurance fund for paternity leave.
Does paternity leave apply to expatriate employees?
Yes. The UAE Labour Law applies to all employees in the private sector, regardless of nationality.
Can the employer refuse paternity leave?
No. If the employee meets the eligibility requirements, the employer must grant the leave.
For more context, see our guide to types of leave and absence management.
Even a 5-day paternity leave entitlement requires tracking the 6-month window, the continuous-block rule, and the interaction with other UAE leave types. A leave management system that handles UAE-specific rules keeps you compliant and your employees supported.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law) (primary source)
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) (government)
- UAE Government — Labour Law (government)
Last updated: 26 July 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current obligations with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and check the applicable employment contract.