Maternity Leave Rules Explained — if you are expecting a baby and working in the UAE, this is the guide you need. Maternity leave here is generous by regional standards, but the details around pay, extensions, and your right to keep your job are exactly the kind of thing worth reading before you need them.
Private-sector maternity leave is set out in Article 30 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labour Law): 60 days of leave, the first 45 at full pay and the remaining 15 at half pay. There are also extensions for health complications, nursing breaks when you return, and strong protection against dismissal. Below is a plain-English breakdown of the rules as they apply to private-sector employees across the Emirates.
Quick Answer
Female employees in the UAE private sector are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave — 45 days at full pay and 15 days at half pay — starting no earlier than 30 days before the expected delivery date. No minimum service period is required. Additional unpaid leave is available for pregnancy-related illness, and extra paid leave applies if the newborn is ill or has a disability. You cannot be dismissed for pregnancy or for taking maternity leave. Fathers can use the separate parental leave rules for their five days of paid leave.
Maternity Leave Rules Explained: The 60-Day Structure
The basic entitlement is simple and applies to all female private-sector employees in mainland UAE and most free zones:
| Leave period | Duration | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| First period | 45 days | Full wage |
| Second period | 15 days | Half wage |
| Total | 60 days | — |
These are calendar days, not working days — weekends and public holidays that fall inside the leave period count toward the 60 days. The leave is not split around delivery by default; it runs as one continuous period unless the employee’s situation requires an extension. According to the UAE government’s official portal (u.ae), the details mirror the law exactly.
Eligibility and When the Leave Can Start
A few points on who qualifies and timing:
- No minimum service period: unlike some other benefits, maternity leave does not require completing probation or a full year of service first — it is available from day one of employment
- Early start allowed: you may begin maternity leave up to 30 days before your expected delivery date, using those days as part of the 60
- Notification: inform your employer of your expected delivery date and your intended leave start date as early as practical; written notice keeps everyone aligned
- Stillbirth and miscarriage: in practice, the leave still applies if the pregnancy ends late — discuss the situation with HR and your doctor, and keep documentation
Check your employment contract type to confirm you fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 rather than a special regime (such as DIFC or ADGM employment law, which have their own frameworks).
Extensions for Mother or Baby Health Complications
Childbirth does not always go to plan, and the law provides two extension paths, both requiring a medical certificate from a recognised medical authority:
- Your own illness: if you cannot return to work because of an illness resulting from pregnancy or childbirth, you may take up to 45 additional days of unpaid leave (consecutive or intermittent)
- Baby’s illness or disability: if the newborn is sick or has a disability, you get an extra 30 days at full pay, extendable by a further 30 days unpaid
Combined with the standard leave, this means the law can cover up to 105 days when the mother is unwell, or up to 120 days when the baby is. This is worth knowing when planning your return — and worth reviewing alongside the broader different types of employee leave in the UAE so no benefit goes unused.
Nursing Breaks After You Return to Work
For six months after delivery, a mother returning to work is entitled to one or two nursing breaks per day, totalling up to one hour. These breaks are fully paid and do not count against your other leave. A practical example: many mothers schedule them at the start or end of the workday to shorten their hours, though the exact arrangement should be agreed with the employer. Make sure your health insurance coverage includes postnatal care, since recovery and newborn check-ups continue well after the leave ends.
Protection Against Termination
This is one of the strongest protections in the UAE Labour Law:
- An employer may not dismiss a female employee because she is pregnant
- An employer may not issue a termination notice to a female employee while she is on maternity leave
- A dismissal that does occur must be for genuine, unrelated reasons and follow the normal legal process
If you suspect your termination is linked to pregnancy or maternity leave, document everything in writing and contact MOHRE. Keep copies of your medical certificates, leave approval, and any HR correspondence — they are your evidence.
Government Sector Differences
The 60-day rule above applies to the private sector. Government employees are governed by federal or emirate-level rules, which are generally more generous:
| Sector | Maternity leave | Nursing breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Private sector (all emirates) | 60 days (45 full pay + 15 half pay) | Up to 1 hour/day for 6 months |
| Federal government | 90 days, fully paid | 2 hours/day for 6 months |
| Abu Dhabi government | 3 months, fully paid | Up to 2 hours/day for 1 year |
| Dubai government | 90 days, fully paid | 2 hours/day for 1 year |
Exact figures vary by emirate and can change, so government employees should confirm with their HR department. For an overview of all leave categories in one place, see our complete guide to employee leave in the UAE.
Parental Leave: What Fathers Get
Fathers are not left out. Both parents — mother and father — are entitled to 5 working days of paid parental leave, to be taken any time within the first six months of the child’s birth. The mother can take it in addition to her maternity leave. For the full details, read our dedicated guide to parental leave rules in the UAE.
Planning Tips for Expecting Parents
- Notify early: give HR written notice of your expected delivery date and planned leave dates — early notice makes approvals and cover arrangements smoother
- Plan the pay gap: the second 15 days at half pay is easy to miss in budgeting; plan your savings accordingly
- Keep medical paperwork: every certificate for delivery, complications, and the baby’s health should be filed — extensions depend on them
- Coordinate with your partner: schedule the father’s parental leave for after the mother’s return, if possible, to stretch the period of care at home
- Check your salary certificate: if you are applying for any financial product around this time, a UAE salary certificate will show your income status clearly to banks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to complete probation before qualifying for maternity leave?
No. The UAE Labour Law does not set a minimum service period for maternity leave, so the entitlement applies from the start of employment, including during probation.
Is the 60-day maternity leave counted in working days or calendar days?
Calendar days. Weekends and public holidays falling within the maternity leave period count toward the 60 days.
Can my employer refuse my maternity leave?
No. Maternity leave is a statutory right. The employer cannot refuse it, reduce it, or dismiss you for taking it.
What happens if my baby needs to stay in hospital?
If the newborn is ill or has a disability, you are entitled to an extra 30 days at full pay (extendable by 30 more days unpaid), backed by a medical certificate from a recognised medical authority.
Can I take extra unpaid leave after maternity leave?
Yes — up to 45 additional unpaid days if you are unable to resume work due to an illness caused by pregnancy or childbirth, with a medical certificate.
Do I get maternity leave if I work in a free zone?
In most free zones, yes — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies. Exceptions include DIFC and ADGM, which follow their own employment laws (check your contract or HR department).
Are nursing breaks paid?
Yes. In the private sector, the one or two daily nursing breaks (up to one hour total) for six months after delivery are fully paid.
The Bottom Line
UAE maternity leave rules give private-sector mothers a solid foundation: 60 days of leave (45 at full pay, 15 at half pay) with no minimum service requirement, the option to start up to 30 days before delivery, extra unpaid leave for health complications, full-pay extensions if the baby is unwell, paid nursing breaks for six months after returning, and strict protection against dismissal. Notify your employer early in writing, keep every medical certificate, and know your extension rights before you need them — preparation turns a stressful period into a manageable one.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.