Sick Leave UAE 2026: Rights, Pay Structure & Rules

What is Sick Leave in UAE?

Quick Summary: Sick leave in UAE is governed by Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Employees are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year after completing probation: 15 days at full pay, 30 days at half pay, and 45 days unpaid. Medical certificates must be submitted within 3 days. Employers cannot terminate employees during sick leave. Sick leave is not paid during probation or if illness results from misconduct.

Sick leave is a fundamental right for employees in the UAE private sector, allowing them to take time off work to recover from illness without losing their job. The UAE labor law provides clear guidelines on sick leave entitlements, pay structure, documentation requirements, and employer obligations.

Understanding sick leave rules is essential for both employers and employees. For HR managers, proper sick leave management ensures compliance with MOHRE regulations and protects the company from legal disputes. For employees, knowing their rights helps them access their full entitlements when they need medical leave.

This guide covers everything you need to know about sick leave in UAE for 2026, including recent clarifications and best practices.

Sick Leave Entitlement: 90 Days Per Year

Under Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employees in the UAE private sector are entitled to a maximum of 90 days of sick leave per year after completing their probationary period.

Key Points About the 90-Day Entitlement

Aspect	Requirement
Total days	90 days per year
When it starts	After probation period ends
Usage	Continuous or intermittent
Carry-over	Not allowed
Accumulation	Resets each year of service

The 90 days can be taken all at once for a serious illness or spread throughout the year for different health issues. However, unused sick leave does not carry over to the next year and is not compensated.

Important: The sick leave year is calculated based on each year of continuous service with the employer, not the calendar year. This means if an employee joined on March 15, their sick leave entitlement resets on March 15 of each subsequent year.

Sick Leave Pay Structure: Understanding the Three Tiers

The UAE labor law establishes a tiered payment system for sick leave that balances employee protection with business considerations.

Payment Breakdown

Period	Days	Payment	Example (AED 10,000 salary)
First tier	Days 1-15	Full pay (100%)	AED 10,000/month
Second tier	Days 16-45	Half pay (50%)	AED 5,000/month
Third tier	Days 46-90	No pay (0%)	AED 0

How Sick Leave Pay is Calculated

Sick leave pay is calculated based on the employee's basic salary plus any regular allowances that form part of the monthly wage. Here's how to calculate:

Example calculation for partial month sick leave:

Employee with AED 12,000 monthly salary takes 10 days of sick leave (first tier):

Daily rate: AED 12,000 ÷ 30 = AED 400
Sick leave pay: AED 400 × 10 days × 100% = AED 4,000
Remaining work days pay: AED 400 × 20 days = AED 8,000
Total monthly salary: AED 12,000 (full pay maintained)

Example calculation spanning multiple tiers:

Employee takes 25 consecutive days of sick leave:

First 15 days: Full pay
Days 16-25 (10 days): Half pay
Total: 15 days full + 10 days at 50%

Payment Timing

Sick leave pay follows the regular payroll cycle and must be processed through the Wage Protection System (WPS). Employers cannot delay sick leave payments beyond the standard salary payment deadline.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Valid sick leave claims require proper documentation from authorized healthcare facilities. This protects both employers from abuse and employees by creating a clear record.

Notification Timeline

Requirement	Deadline
Notify employer of illness	Within 3 working days
Submit medical certificate	Within 3 working days
Best practice notification	Within 48 hours

While the legal requirement is 3 working days, best practice is to inform your employer within 48 hours and submit documentation as soon as possible.

Who Can Issue Valid Medical Certificates

Not all healthcare providers can issue sick leave certificates recognized under UAE law. Valid certificates must come from:

Dubai:

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensed hospitals and clinics
Certificates verified through DHA's electronic sick leave system

Abu Dhabi:

Department of Health (DOH) licensed facilities
SEHA government health centers

Other Emirates:

Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) approved facilities
Government health centers

What the Medical Certificate Must Include

A valid sick leave certificate should contain:

Patient's full name and Emirates ID number
Date of examination
Diagnosis or medical condition (with patient consent)
Recommended leave duration
Physician's name, signature, and license number
Facility stamp and license details
Date of certificate issuance

Certificate Attestation Requirements

Leave Duration	Attestation Requirement
1-3 days	May not require certificate (employer policy)
Up to 5 days	Electronic attestation possible
6-30 days	Health authority attestation required
30+ days	Medical committee review may be required

For extended sick leave, certificates may need attestation from the relevant health authority (DHA, DOH, or MOHAP) depending on the emirate.

When Sick Leave is NOT Paid

The UAE labor law specifies situations where employees forfeit their right to paid sick leave.

During Probation Period

Employees are not entitled to paid sick leave during probation. The probationary period can be up to 6 months under UAE law.

However, employers may grant unpaid sick leave during probation if:

The employee provides a valid medical certificate
The employer agrees to the leave request

Once probation is successfully completed, the employee gains full sick leave entitlements.

Illness from Misconduct

Under Article 31, employees lose their right to paid sick leave if the illness or injury results from:

Alcohol consumption: Getting sick due to alcohol intoxication
Drug use: Illness resulting from narcotics consumption
Safety violations: Injuries caused by deliberately violating workplace safety instructions

In these cases, the employer may grant unpaid leave or take disciplinary action depending on company policy and the severity of the violation.

Failure to Provide Documentation

Employees who fail to:

Notify their employer within the 3-day deadline
Submit a valid medical certificate
Provide certificates from authorized facilities

May have their sick leave classified as unauthorized absence, which can lead to salary deductions or disciplinary action.

Employer Obligations During Sick Leave

UAE labor law places specific responsibilities on employers regarding sick leave management.

Termination Protection

Employers cannot terminate an employee during sick leave. This is one of the most important protections under UAE law.

Situation	Employer Action Allowed
During 90-day sick leave	Termination prohibited
After 90 days exhausted	Termination possible with full entitlements
Notice period during sick leave	Cannot issue termination notice

What Employers Must Do

Accept valid sick leave requests with proper documentation
Process sick leave pay through WPS on time
Maintain records of all sick leave taken
Protect the employee's position during leave
Calculate pay correctly according to the tier system

After 90 Days Are Exhausted

If an employee uses all 90 days of sick leave and cannot return to work, the employer may:

Terminate the employment contract
Pay all end-of-service benefits including gratuity
Settle any outstanding leave balances
Provide final settlement within 14 days

The employee retains full entitlement to gratuity and other benefits—sick leave termination does not reduce end-of-service payments.

Termination During Sick Leave: What the Law Says

Understanding termination rules during sick leave protects both parties from legal complications.

Employee Protections

Under UAE labor law, termination during sick leave is prohibited. This means:

No termination notice can be issued while the employee is on approved sick leave
The employee's position must be held during the sick leave period
Return to work must be facilitated when the employee is medically cleared

When Termination Becomes Possible

Termination on medical grounds is only permitted after the full 90-day sick leave entitlement is exhausted. At this point:

The employer may terminate if the employee cannot resume duties
Full end-of-service benefits must be paid
Any accrued but unused annual leave must be compensated
Final settlement due within 14 days of termination

Employee Rights Upon Medical Termination

Entitlement	Status
End-of-service gratuity	Full payment required
Unused annual leave	Paid out in full
Notice period	May be waived with medical grounds
Outstanding salary	Immediate payment required

Sick Leave Abuse: Consequences and Penalties

While sick leave is a protected right, abuse of the system carries serious consequences.

What Constitutes Sick Leave Abuse

Submitting fake or forged medical certificates
Working another job while on sick leave
Taking sick leave for non-medical reasons
Repeatedly taking sick leave without genuine illness
Failing to follow medical advice or treatment

Penalties for Fake Medical Certificates

Submitting a forged medical certificate is grounds for immediate termination without notice under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

Consequence	Legal Basis
Immediate termination	Article 44 - forging documents
No notice period required	Serious misconduct provision
Potential criminal charges	Document forgery laws
Loss of gratuity	Subject to court ruling

Employer Verification Rights

Employers can:

Request additional medical documentation
Verify certificates through health authority portals
Require medical committee evaluation for extended leave
Conduct reasonable follow-up on suspicious patterns

However, employers cannot:

Deny valid sick leave with proper documentation
Require employees to work while on approved sick leave
Retaliate against employees for taking legitimate sick leave

Sick Leave vs. Work-Related Injuries

It's important to distinguish between regular sick leave and injuries that occur at work.

Key Differences

Aspect	Sick Leave	Work Injury
Legal article	Article 31	Articles 36-37
Duration limit	90 days	Until recovery or disability determined
Pay structure	Tiered (100%/50%/0%)	Full pay during treatment
Medical costs	Employee responsibility	Employer responsibility
Termination rules	After 90 days	Special protections apply

Work-related injuries have separate and more comprehensive protections under UAE law, including employer-paid medical treatment and full salary during recovery.

Best Practices for Employees

To ensure smooth sick leave processing and protect your rights:

Before Taking Sick Leave

Know your company's sick leave policy and notification procedures
Keep HR contact information accessible
Understand which medical facilities are authorized in your emirate

During Sick Leave

Notify your employer as soon as possible (within 48 hours recommended)
Visit an authorized medical facility
Obtain a proper medical certificate with all required details
Submit documentation within 3 working days
Keep copies of all medical documents

Returning to Work

Obtain a fitness-to-work certificate if required
Notify your employer of your return date
Verify your sick leave was recorded correctly
Check your payslip for accurate sick leave pay calculation

Best Practices for Employers and HR Managers

Effective sick leave management protects the company while respecting employee rights.

Policy Implementation

Create a clear written sick leave policy
Communicate notification procedures to all employees
Train managers on sick leave handling
Establish consistent documentation requirements

Record Keeping

Maintain accurate records of:

All sick leave applications
Medical certificates received
Sick leave balances for each employee
Pay tier tracking (full/half/unpaid days used)
Return-to-work dates

Compliance Monitoring

Track sick leave against the 90-day limit per employee per year
Ensure WPS payments reflect correct sick leave calculations
Document any cases where sick leave is denied and the reasons
Conduct periodic audits of sick leave patterns

How RadixHR Automates Sick Leave Management

Managing sick leave manually is time-consuming and error-prone. RadixHR streamlines the entire process.

Automatic Balance Tracking

RadixHR automatically tracks each employee's sick leave balance:

Real-time visibility of days taken vs. remaining
Automatic tier calculation (full pay, half pay, unpaid)
Year-of-service based reset for each employee
Alerts when employees approach the 90-day limit

Simplified Request and Approval

Employees submit sick leave requests through the mobile app
Medical certificate upload directly to the system
Manager notifications and one-click approvals
Complete audit trail of all requests and decisions

Accurate Payroll Integration

Automatic calculation of sick leave pay per tier
Seamless WPS file generation with correct deductions
Integration with monthly payroll processing
Reports for finance and compliance teams

Compliance Reporting

Track sick leave patterns across the organization
Generate reports for MOHRE audits
Monitor probation periods to prevent premature sick leave approval
Alert system for documentation requirements

Book a free demo to see how RadixHR simplifies sick leave management →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sick leave days am I entitled to in UAE?

Employees in the UAE private sector are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year after completing their probation period. This can be taken continuously or intermittently. The 90 days are paid as follows: first 15 days at full pay, next 30 days at half pay, and remaining 45 days unpaid.

Do I get paid sick leave during probation in UAE?

No. Employees are not entitled to paid sick leave during the probation period under UAE labor law. However, employers may grant unpaid sick leave during probation if supported by a valid medical certificate from an authorized healthcare facility.

What is the deadline for submitting a sick leave medical certificate in UAE?

Employees must notify their employer about their illness within a maximum of 3 working days and submit a medical certificate issued by an authorized medical facility. While 3 days is the legal requirement, best practice is to notify within 48 hours.

Can my employer terminate me while I'm on sick leave in UAE?

No. Under UAE labor law, employers cannot terminate an employee or issue a termination notice while the employee is on sick leave within the 90-day entitlement period. Termination can only be considered after the full 90 days are exhausted and the employee cannot return to work.

When is sick leave not paid in UAE?

Sick leave is unpaid in three situations: (1) during the probation period, (2) if the illness results from employee misconduct such as alcohol or drug consumption, and (3) if the employee violated documented workplace safety instructions.

What happens if I use fake medical certificate for sick leave in UAE?

Submitting a forged or fake medical certificate is a serious violation under UAE law. Under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employers can terminate the employee immediately without notice. It may also lead to criminal charges for document forgery.

Does sick leave carry over to the next year in UAE?

No. The 90-day sick leave entitlement is calculated per year of service and does not carry over. Unused sick leave days are not accumulated or compensated at the end of the year.

What medical facilities can issue sick leave certificates in UAE?

Only authorized healthcare facilities can issue valid sick leave certificates. This includes government health centers, DHA-licensed clinics and hospitals in Dubai, DOH-licensed facilities in Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP-approved facilities in other emirates.

Can I be terminated after 90 days of sick leave in UAE?

Yes. If an employee exhausts all 90 days of sick leave and is still unable to return to work, the employer may terminate the employment contract. However, the employee is entitled to receive all end-of-service benefits including gratuity as per the labor law.

Does sick leave affect my gratuity calculation in UAE?

Paid sick leave (first 15 days at full pay and next 30 days at half pay) counts toward continuous service for gratuity calculation. Unpaid sick leave days are generally excluded from service calculation.

Summary: UAE Sick Leave Key Facts

Aspect	Requirement	Legal Reference
Total entitlement	90 days per year	Article 31
First 15 days	Full pay (100%)	Article 31
Days 16-45	Half pay (50%)	Article 31
Days 46-90	Unpaid (0%)	Article 31
Eligibility	After probation	Article 31
Notification deadline	3 working days	Article 31
Medical certificate	Required from authorized facility	Article 31
During probation	Unpaid only	Article 31
Misconduct-related illness	Not paid	Article 31
Termination during sick leave	Prohibited	Article 31
Termination after 90 days	Allowed with full benefits	Article 31
Fake certificate penalty	Immediate termination	Article 44

Sources and References

Primary Legislation

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship
- UAE Legislation Portal
- MOHRE English Version
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 - Executive Regulations
- UAE Legislation Portal

Government Resources

UAE Government Official Portal - Sick Leave
- Sick Leave Information
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- Official Website
Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Sick Leave Verification System
Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH)
- Healthcare Licensing

Related Resources

Last updated: February 20, 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, consult with qualified legal professionals or contact MOHRE directly.