How to Calculate UAE Maternity Pay
Work out exactly what you will be paid across the 45 full-pay and 15 half-pay days of UAE maternity leave, with a worked example.
→ Open the UAE Maternity Leave Calculator
UAE maternity pay comes in two blocks — 45 days at 100% and 15 days at 50%. Here is how to convert your monthly salary into the total.
Step 1 — Find your daily wage
Use your monthly salary over a 30-day month:
Daily wage = Monthly salary ÷ 30
Step 2 — Pay the two blocks
Full-pay block = Daily wage × 45
Half-pay block = Daily wage × 15 × 50%
Total maternity pay = Full-pay block + Half-pay block
Worked example
Monthly salary AED 12,000.
| Block | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Daily wage | 12,000 ÷ 30 | AED 400 |
| 45 days at full pay | 400 × 45 | AED 18,000 |
| 15 days at half pay | 400 × 15 × 50% | AED 3,000 |
| Total (60 days) | 18,000 + 3,000 | AED 21,000 |
Notice the 60-day leave pays the equivalent of 52.5 days at full rate (45 + 7.5), because the last 15 days are halved.
Lookup table (total maternity pay)
| Monthly salary | Daily wage | Full-pay 45d | Half-pay 15d | Total 60d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 6,000 | 200 | 9,000 | 1,500 | 10,500 |
| AED 9,000 | 300 | 13,500 | 2,250 | 15,750 |
| AED 12,000 | 400 | 18,000 | 3,000 | 21,000 |
| AED 18,000 | 600 | 27,000 | 4,500 | 31,500 |
If your baby needs continuous care you may add a further 30 full-pay days (another 30 × daily wage) plus 30 unpaid. Enter your own salary in the maternity leave calculator for an exact figure, and remember maternity leave keeps counting toward your gratuity.
Budgeting for the half-pay fortnight
The one number people forget to plan for is the drop in the final 15 days. Across the 60 days you receive the equivalent of 52.5 full-pay days (45 + half of 15), so your total is 12.5% lower than if all 60 were at full pay. On an AED 12,000 salary that is a roughly AED 3,000 shortfall versus a full-pay assumption. If your household budget assumes two months of full salary, set aside a buffer for that last fortnight. Some employers voluntarily top the 15 days up to full pay — check your company policy, because it is a common enhancement.
Key takeaways
- Daily wage = monthly salary ÷ 30.
- 45 days at 100% + 15 days at 50% = 60 calendar days.
- The total equals about 52.5 full-pay days.
- A sick-newborn adds 30 more full-pay days (30 × daily wage) plus 30 unpaid.
- Maternity leave does not pause your gratuity accrual.
Frequently asked questions
How is UAE maternity pay split?
The first 45 days are paid at full pay and the next 15 days at half pay, for 60 calendar days in total.
What is the daily wage used for maternity pay?
Your monthly salary divided by 30.
Does maternity pay use basic or total salary?
Maternity pay is based on your salary; check your contract for the exact wage basis, but it is not restricted to basic-only like gratuity.
Is a sick-newborn extension paid?
Yes — a further 30 days at full pay, plus 30 additional days unpaid, on a medical certificate.
Does the last 15 days of maternity leave reduce my total?
Yes. Those 15 days are paid at half rate, so 60 days of leave equals about 52.5 full-pay days in total.
Is maternity pay based on basic or full salary?
It is based on your salary rather than basic-only like gratuity. Confirm the exact components in your contract.
Can my employer top up the half-pay period?
Some do, voluntarily, as a company enhancement. The statutory minimum is 45 days full pay and 15 days half pay.
Related calculators & guides
More UAE employment calculators
Calcnate keeps a full set of law-accurate UAE tools so you can check every part of an exit or contract in one place. Each is built on Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 and the same figures explained above:
- UAE Gratuity Calculator — your end-of-service lump sum on the 21/30-day bands.
- UAE Final Settlement Calculator — gratuity, leave, notice and pending pay combined.
- UAE Notice Period Calculator — notice length and pay in lieu.
- UAE Leave Encashment Calculator — cash value of unused annual leave.
- UAE Probation Period Calculator — the six-month rules and notice.
- UAE Maternity Leave Calculator — the 45+15 day pay split.
- UAE Unemployment Insurance (ILOE) Calculator — your involuntary-loss payout.
Browse everything on the UAE hub.