Saudi Maternity Leave: 2026 Guide (Article 151)
The Saudi maternity entitlement after the 2025 Labor Law change — 12 weeks at full pay, who pays, and the extra leave for a newborn who needs care.
→ Open the Saudi Maternity Leave Calculator
Saudi maternity rights were improved by the Labor Law amendment (Royal Decree M/44, effective around February 2025). The leave is now longer and simpler than before. The rules sit in Article 151.
The 12-week entitlement
A working mother is entitled to 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave at full (100%) pay. This replaced the previous 10-week entitlement and removed the old tenure-based pay tiers.
No minimum service
The pre-2025 tiers — which paid full salary only after three years of service, half between one and three years, and nothing below one — have been removed. Maternity leave is now full pay with no minimum service requirement.
When leave can start
Leave can begin up to four weeks before the expected delivery date, on a medical certificate. At least six weeks must be taken after delivery — that portion is mandatory.
Extra leave for a sick newborn
If the newborn is sick or needs continuous care, the mother is entitled to a further one month fully paid, plus another month unpaid.
Unpaid extension
In any case, a further one month of unpaid leave is available if the mother needs more time.
Who pays
Your employer pays your full salary during the 12 weeks. Separately, Saudi's General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) has introduced a maternity-related benefit for registered contributors under its newer social-insurance regime — but the employer-paid salary under the Labor Law is the core entitlement here. Maternity leave counts as continuous service toward your end-of-service award.
How the 2025 reform improved the entitlement
The amendment did three helpful things at once. It raised the leave from 10 to 12 weeks, it made all 12 weeks full pay, and it scrapped the old tenure ladder that paid full salary only after three years, half between one and three, and nothing below one. The practical effect is that every working mother — including one hired while pregnant — now receives the same 12 weeks at 100% pay. Add the mandatory six post-delivery weeks, the option to start four weeks early, and the sick-newborn extension, and the Saudi package is now among the more straightforward in the region to plan around.
Key takeaways
- 12 weeks (84 days) at full pay, up from 10 weeks.
- No minimum service — the old tenure pay-tiers were removed.
- At least 6 weeks must be taken after delivery.
- Leave can begin up to 4 weeks before the expected date.
- Sick newborn: +1 month full pay and +1 month unpaid.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of maternity leave in Saudi Arabia?
12 weeks (84 days), all at full pay — increased from 10 weeks under an amendment to Article 151 effective around February 2025.
Do I need minimum service for Saudi maternity leave?
No. The pre-2025 tenure tiers were removed, so maternity leave is full pay regardless of length of service.
What if my baby needs special care?
You can get a further month fully paid, plus an additional month unpaid, if your newborn is sick or has special needs requiring continuous care.
Is Saudi maternity leave paid by the employer or GOSI?
Your employer pays your salary during the leave. GOSI has a separate maternity-related benefit for registered contributors, but the employer-paid salary is the core Labor Law entitlement.
Related calculators & guides
More Saudi Arabia employment calculators
Calcnate keeps a full set of Saudi Labor Law tools — all updated for the 2025 amendments — so you can check every part of an exit or contract in one place:
- Saudi End-of-Service Calculator — the half-month/full-month award with resignation tiers.
- Saudi Notice Period Calculator — the 30/60-day rule and pay in lieu.
- Saudi Probation Period Calculator — the 180-day contract rules.
- Saudi Maternity Leave Calculator — 12 weeks at full pay.
- Saudi Leave Encashment Calculator — cash value of unused annual leave.
Browse everything on the Saudi Arabia hub.