Qatar Leave Encashment 2026: The 21 vs 28 Day Rule
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Qatar's annual-leave entitlement steps up once you pass a service milestone, and unused days must be paid out.
The entitlement
Article 79 gives you 3 weeks (21 days) of annual leave per year with under 5 years of service, and 4 weeks (28 days) per year once you complete 5 years.
The wage basis
Both leave pay and encashment are calculated on your basic wage — as it stood on the date the leave fell due.
Worked example
QAR 9,000 basic wage, 18 unused leave days: (9,000 ÷ 30) × 18 = QAR 5,400.
Carry-over
You can request to carry up to half your unused leave into the following year rather than encashing it immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do Qatar employees earn?
3 weeks (21 days) per year with under 5 years of service, rising to 4 weeks (28 days) per year once you complete 5 years, under Article 79 of the Labour Law.
What salary is leave encashment based on?
Your basic wage, as it stood on the date the leave became due.
Can unused leave carry over in Qatar?
Yes — up to half of it can be carried forward to the next year on request.
When is leave encashed?
When it is accrued but not taken — most commonly settled as part of your final dues when employment ends.