UAE Maternity Leave 2026: The 45+15 Day Rule Explained (Article 30)
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The UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 gives every female employee in the private sector 60 days of maternity leave, split between full and half pay — and, unusually, with no minimum service requirement.
The 45 + 15 split
Under Article 30: the first 45 days are at full pay (100%), and the remaining 15 days are at half pay (50%). That's 60 days total.
No minimum service required
Unlike UAE gratuity (which needs 1 year) or many other jurisdictions' maternity laws, this entitlement applies from your very first day of employment.
Extra protection if your newborn is unwell
If your baby is born with an illness or disability requiring your continuous care, you can get a further 30 days fully paid, plus an additional 30 days unpaid, on production of a medical certificate.
Nursing breaks after you return
Once you're back at work, you're entitled to up to 1 hour of paid nursing breaks per day for 6 months.
Worked example
AED 10,000/month salary: daily wage = 10,000 ÷ 30 = AED 333.3. 45 days full pay = 45 × 333.3 = AED 15,000. 15 days half pay = 15 × 333.3 × 0.5 = AED 2,500. Total maternity pay ≈ AED 17,500.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paid maternity leave do I get in the UAE?
60 calendar days total: the first 45 days at full (100%) pay, and the remaining 15 days at half (50%) pay — under Article 30 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Do I need a minimum length of service to qualify for UAE maternity leave?
No — it applies from your very first day of employment. There's no tenure requirement, unlike some other UAE benefits.
What if my baby is born sick or with a disability?
You're entitled to a further 30 days of fully paid leave, plus an additional 30 days unpaid, to care for a sick or disabled newborn, with a medical certificate.
Do I get paid breaks for nursing after I return to work?
Yes — up to 1 hour per day, fully paid, for 6 months after you return from maternity leave.
Who pays for UAE maternity leave — the employer or the government?
Your employer pays it in full. There's no separate government or social-insurance maternity fund for the private sector in the UAE.