Qatar Maternity Leave 2026: The 50-Day Rule & the 1-Year Eligibility Test
→ Open the Qatar Maternity Leave Calculator
Qatar's Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 gives private-sector employees 50 days of fully paid maternity leave — but unlike some neighbouring countries, it comes with a real eligibility gate.
The 1-year rule
Under Article 96, you must have more than 1 year of continuous service with your employer to qualify for this paid leave. This is a meaningful condition — if you're newly hired and become pregnant early on, this specific entitlement may not yet apply to you.
50 days, mostly after delivery
Once eligible, you get 50 days at full pay, with at least 35 days required to fall after the birth.
Extra unpaid time if you're unwell
If your health prevents you returning to work once the paid leave ends, you can take a further up to 60 days (continuously or in installments) unpaid, with a medical certificate.
You can't be fired while on leave
Article 98 separately makes it unlawful for your employer to terminate you while you're on maternity leave.
Public sector is different
This 50-day rule is specifically for the private sector. Qatar's public sector runs under a separate law (a 2025 amendment to the Civil Human Resources Law) that gives government employees a more generous 3 months of leave, extendable to 6 for twins or a child with a disability — don't confuse the two if you're comparing notes with someone in a government role.
Worked example
QAR 8,000/month basic wage, 2 years of service (eligible): daily wage = 8,000 ÷ 30 = QAR 266.7. Over the 50-day leave: 50 × 266.7 = QAR 13,333 total, at full pay.
A note on probation in Qatar
We have not published a Qatar probation-notice calculator. Qatar's 6-month probation cap is well established, but our research found conflicting figures for the required notice period to end employment during probation (one source states 1 month under a more recent amendment; another cites the original law's 3-day figure) without a primary-source article citation we could independently confirm — so per our accuracy policy, we're not publishing a number we can't verify.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paid maternity leave do I get in Qatar?
50 days at full pay, under Article 96 of Labour Law No. 14/2004, for private-sector employees with more than 1 year of continuous service.
What's the eligibility requirement for Qatar maternity leave?
You need more than 1 year of continuous service with your employer. Without that, this specific paid entitlement under Article 96 does not apply.
How much of Qatar's maternity leave must be after delivery?
At least 35 of the 50 days must fall after the birth.
Does this apply to public-sector employees in Qatar too?
No — public-sector employees are covered by a separate, more generous law (a 2025 amendment to the Civil Human Resources Law giving 3 months, up to 6 for twins/disability). This calculator covers private-sector employees under Labour Law 14/2004.
Can I be fired while on maternity leave in Qatar?
No — Article 98 of the Labour Law separately prohibits termination during maternity leave.