After probation, a private-sector worker in the UAE is entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave a year, continuous or broken up. The first 15 days are on full pay, the next 30 days on half pay, and the rest is unpaid (Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). You must tell your employer within three working days and give a medical report. There is no paid sick leave during probation. Disputes go to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Who this guide is for
This guide is for employees of private-sector companies on the UAE mainland who fall ill or are unable to work because of a sickness that is not a work injury. It follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (the Labour Law) and its Executive Regulation, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022.
Other rules apply elsewhere. DIFC employees have their own law: DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019 gives up to 60 work days of sick leave in 12 months, with 10 days at full pay and 20 at half pay (Articles 34 and 35). ADGM employees follow the ADGM Employment Regulations 2024. Domestic workers are covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022.
How much is paid, day by day
Article 31(3) sets the pay for each stage of sick leave taken in a year, once probation is over.
| Sick leave days in the year | Pay |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 15 | Full wage |
| Days 16 to 45 | Half wage |
| Days 46 to 90 | No wage |
| During probation | No paid sick leave. The employer may grant unpaid sick leave based on a medical report (Article 31(2)) |
A few points to note:
- "Wage" is defined broadly. Article 1 defines "wage" as the basic wage plus cash allowances and benefits in kind. Article 31 uses that term. If your employer pays sick leave on basic salary only, ask them to explain the basis in writing and check with MoHRE.
- Better terms still apply. The law sets minimum rights. A contract or company policy that gives more sick pay applies instead (Article 65).
- "Per year" is not defined. The law gives the 90 days "for each year" without saying whether this is the contract year or the calendar year. The UAE Government portal describes it as per year of service. Check your contract or company policy, and ask MoHRE if it is unclear.
What do I have to do when I am sick?
Article 31(1) says you must tell your employer, or their representative, within three working days. You must also give a medical report on your condition issued by a "medical authority". The Labour Law defines this as any federal or local government health body, or any licensed private health facility in the UAE (Article 1).
Some employers ask for extra steps, such as attestation. The law asks for a report from a medical authority, so ask HR in writing what they need and keep copies.
When is sick leave unpaid?
- Probation. No paid sick leave during probation (Article 31(2)).
- Misconduct. No pay if the illness results from the worker's misconduct, such as drinking alcohol or taking drugs. A report from the relevant UAE authorities must prove this (Article 31(4) of the Labour Law and Article 20 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022).
- Breach of safety instructions. No pay if the worker broke safety rules, for example traffic rules or workplace safety rules they had been told about and acknowledged (Article 20 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022).
- After 45 days in the year. The remaining sick leave, up to 90 days in total, is unpaid.
A work injury or occupational disease is different. Under Article 37, the employer must pay the full wage during treatment for up to six months, then half the wage for up to six more months, or until recovery, disability or death.
Can I be dismissed while on sick leave?
The law gives several protections:
- No dismissal for ill health before your leave is used. An employer may not end your service for medical unfitness before you have used the leave you are legally entitled to. Any agreement saying otherwise is void (Article 46).
- After sick leave runs out. If you have used all your sick leave and still cannot return, the employer may end your service, but must pay all your financial dues (Article 31(5)).
- Notice given during leave. If either side gives notice while you are on leave, the notice period starts the day after you are due back, unless you both agree otherwise (Article 35).
The UAE Government portal goes further. As of September 2026, its leave page says an employer may not dismiss an employee or give a termination notice while the employee is on sick leave. The Labour Law does not say this in those exact words. Its relevant rules are Articles 35 and 46. If this affects you, keep all records and ask MoHRE. Our guide on wrongful termination covers the wider dismissal rules.
Step by step
- Tell your employer early. Message your manager or HR on the first day if you can, and within three working days at the latest.
- Get a medical report. Ask the clinic or hospital for a report or sick leave certificate that shows the dates you cannot work.
- Send the report in writing. Email it and keep the sent message.
- Keep a sick leave log. Note each day of sick leave in the year so you know when the pay rate changes.
- Check your payslip. Compare the sick pay with the table above and your contract.
- Raise problems in writing. If pay is missing or wrong, email HR with your calculation.
- Get free advice. MoHRE's Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre is on 80084.
- Complain to MoHRE in time. MoHRE guidance and Ministerial Resolution No. 782 of 2023 refer to filing within 30 days of the breach, through the MoHRE app, website or 600590000. Put the date in the legal deadline organiser.
Documents checklist
- Employment contract and any company sick leave policy
- Medical reports or certificates, with dates
- Emails or messages showing when you told your employer
- Your sick leave log for the year
- Payslips and bank statements for the affected months
- Any warning, notice or termination letter
- Work injury records, if the illness is linked to work
The evidence checklist builder can help you organise these.
Common mistakes
- Missing the three-day window. Late notice can create a dispute about unpaid days. Tell your employer quickly, even with a short message.
- Assuming probation sick days are paid. They are not paid by law, although the employer may agree to unpaid leave.
- Treating a work injury as sick leave. Work injuries have their own pay rules under Article 37.
- Resigning while unwell without advice. Resignation can change your rights. Our guide on resignation notice rules explains the basics.
- Not keeping copies. Keep every certificate and message. Without them, it is hard to prove what you sent.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Consider advice if you were dismissed during or after sick leave, if your employer alleges misconduct, if the illness may be work-related, or if the amounts are large. A lawyer can also help if you work in the DIFC or ADGM. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How many sick days do I get in the UAE?
After probation, up to 90 days a year under Article 31: 15 at full pay, 30 at half pay and the rest unpaid.
Do I get paid sick leave during probation?
No, but the employer may give you unpaid sick leave based on a medical report (Article 31(2)).
How quickly must I report sickness?
Within three working days, with a medical report from a government health body or a licensed private health facility.
Can my employer fire me for being sick?
Not for medical unfitness before you have used your legal leave (Article 46), but after sick leave runs out the employer may end the contract if you cannot return, paying all your dues.
Is sick pay based on basic salary or full salary?
Article 31 uses the term "wage", which the law defines as basic wage plus allowances, so check any lower payment with MoHRE.
Is a work injury counted as sick leave?
No, Article 37 gives full wage during treatment for up to six months, then half wage for up to six more months.
What if I got sick because of alcohol or drugs?
Sick leave is unpaid if a report from the relevant authorities shows the illness came from that kind of misconduct.
Official sources
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (Arabic)
- UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Executive Regulation of the Labour Law (Arabic)
- UAE Government portal — Types of leaves in the private sector
- MoHRE — Register labour complaints (private sector employees)
- DIFC — Employment Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.