Saudi Probation Period 2026: The 2025 Law Change & Why Your Contract Sets the Notice Period
→ Open the Saudi Probation Period Calculator
Saudi Arabia's Labor Law was amended in early 2025, materially changing how probation works — and the notice period during probation is a genuinely different concept here than in most neighboring countries.
The cap: 180 days
Under Article 53, as amended by Royal Decree M/44 (effective around February 2025), probation can now be set at up to 180 days directly in your contract from day one. Before this change, the default was a shorter 90-day period, with the longer 180-day cap only reachable through a separate written extension agreement partway through.
Termination rights are now mutual
Before the amendment, a contract could give only one side (usually the employer) the right to end employment during probation. The 2025 change made this mutual by default — both employer and employee can end it.
There's no fixed statutory notice period — that's genuinely different
Unlike the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, or Kuwait, Saudi law does not itself set a mandatory number of notice days for ending employment during probation. This is left to be agreed in your employment contract. That's why our calculator asks you to enter your contract's notice period rather than assuming a fixed figure — there genuinely isn't one to assume.
No gratuity or compensation
Whichever party ends the employment during probation, no end-of-service gratuity or other compensation is owed — see our Saudi End of Service Calculator for how gratuity works once you're past probation.
Can't repeat probation
An employer cannot put you on probation a second time for the same role — unless you're moving into a genuinely different position, or at least 6 months have passed since your last employment with them ended.
Frequently asked questions
How long can probation last in Saudi Arabia?
Up to 180 days, which can now be set directly in the employment contract from the start (since the amendment effective around February 2025, under Royal Decree M/44). Before that amendment, the default was 90 days, extendable to 180 only through a separate written agreement.
How much notice do I need to give during probation in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Labor Law itself does not fix a mandatory notice period for ending employment during probation — this is left to your employment contract. Check what your contract says; if it's silent, no statutory minimum applies.
Can only my employer end my probation in Saudi Arabia, or can I as well?
Since the 2025 amendment, termination rights during probation are mutual by default for both employer and employee — previously, a contract could reserve this right to just one side.
Do I get gratuity if let go during Saudi probation?
No — no end-of-service gratuity or other compensation is owed by either party for a termination that happens during the probation period.
Can I be put on probation twice by the same employer in Saudi Arabia?
Not for the same role — unless you're taking on a different position, or at least 6 months have passed since your previous employment with that employer ended.