Qatar Notice Period 2026: The 1-Month and 2-Month Rule
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Qatar's notice-period rule under Article 49 of the Labour Law hinges on one number: 5 years of service.
The rule
For workers paid monthly or annually (the standard arrangement for most jobs), you owe — or are owed — 1 month's notice if you have 5 years of service or less, and 2 months if you have more than 5 years. It applies equally to the employer and the employee, and no reason needs to be given by either side.
Other pay arrangements
Workers paid on a different basis (daily, weekly, hourly) follow a shorter scale under the same article. Our calculator covers the standard monthly/annually-paid case.
Payment in lieu
Either side can pay the other's wage for the notice period instead of serving it.
Worked example
QAR 9,000/month, 6 years of service: notice = 2 months = QAR 18,000 if paid in lieu. At 4 years of service the same worker would owe/be owed only 1 month = QAR 9,000.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice is required in Qatar?
For workers paid monthly or annually: 1 month if you have 5 years of service or less, 2 months if you have more than 5 years, per Article 49 of the Labour Law.
Is the notice period the same for the employer and employee?
Yes — Article 49 sets the same period for whichever side is ending the contract, with no reason required.
What if the notice period is not observed?
The party ending the contract without proper notice must pay the other the full wage for the notice period (or its remaining part).
Does this apply to fixed-term contracts too?
Since a 2020 amendment, Article 49's notice-with-no-reason option applies to both indefinite and fixed-term contracts, not just indefinite ones.