When a baby arrives, five days might not sound like much — but in the UAE, those five paid days off are a legal right for both parents, and plenty of new mums and dads still don’t know they exist. This guide to Parental Leave Rules Explained walks you through exactly what the law gives you: five fully paid working days to take within six months of your child’s birth, whether you’re the mother or the father, plus how to claim them without an awkward conversation with HR.
Below, we cover the legal basis, how parental leave differs from maternity leave, what documents you’ll need, the mistakes that cause people to lose the entitlement altogether, and answers to the questions employees ask most often.
Quick Answer: Parental Leave Rules Explained
Under Article 32 of the UAE Labour Law — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 — every private-sector employee is entitled to five fully paid working days of parental leave when their child is born. Both the mother and the father get this entitlement. The days can be taken back-to-back or split up, but they must fall within six months of the birth date. Employers will usually ask for a copy of the birth certificate as proof.
What Parental Leave Means in the UAE
Parental leave is short, paid time off granted after the birth of a child so the employee can look after the newborn and support their partner through the first weeks. It is separate from maternity leave, which is the longer leave reserved for mothers around childbirth.
The point many people miss: parental leave belongs to both parents equally. The UAE has no separate “paternity leave” — parental leave is the legal vehicle that gives fathers their time off. Each parent gets their own five days, and there is nothing stopping both parents from being on leave at the same time. Parental leave is just one of several statutory leave types in the country — our overview of the different types of employee leave puts it in context, and the complete guide to employee leave in the UAE covers the full picture.
The Legal Background
Parental leave arrived in the UAE in August 2020, when amendments introducing it were approved and added to the labour legislation. It was carried into the current law — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations in the Private Sector — which took effect in February 2022. The UAE government’s official portal notes that the UAE became the first Arab country to grant parental leave to private-sector employees.
Because the entitlement is written into federal law, it applies across the mainland private sector regardless of what an individual contract says. An employer can offer more generous terms, but cannot offer less. If you want to read the source itself, the full text of the Labour Law is published by MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The Core Rules at a Glance
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 working days |
| Pay | Full pay |
| Who qualifies | Both parents — mother and father |
| Time window | Within 6 months of the child’s birth |
| Pattern | Can be taken continuously or split (intermittent) |
| Proof | Employers typically ask for the birth certificate |
| Legal basis | Article 32(1)(b), Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 |
How Parental Leave Differs From Maternity Leave
This is where most confusion happens, so it is worth spelling out. Maternity leave is the longer, mother-only entitlement: 60 days in total — 45 days at full pay and 15 days at half pay — and it can begin up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. Parental leave is much shorter at five working days, but it belongs to either parent.
The two cannot run at the same time. In practice, that means mothers normally take their parental leave after their maternity leave ends — which still works fine, because the six-month window for parental leave is generous. Fathers, who have no maternity leave, simply take their five days whenever suits them within the six months. For the full breakdown of the mother’s entitlement, see our guide to maternity leave rules.
| Maternity leave | Parental leave | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Mothers only | Mothers and fathers |
| Duration | 60 days | 5 working days |
| Pay | 45 days full pay + 15 days half pay | Full pay |
| Window | Around childbirth (can start 30 days before delivery) | Within 6 months of birth |
| Can they overlap? | No — take parental leave after maternity leave ends | |
Who Is Eligible?
- Private-sector employees fall under the federal Labour Law whether they work full-time, part-time, on a temporary contract, or on a flexible arrangement. If you’re unsure how your arrangement is classified, our guide to UAE employment contract types explains the categories.
- Both parents qualify independently. The mother taking her five days does not reduce the father’s five days, and vice versa.
- No minimum service period. Unlike some other leave types, the law does not require you to have worked a certain number of months or years before you can claim parental leave.
- Twins or multiple births: the law speaks of “a newly born child,” and most employers treat one birth event as a single entitlement of five days. If this applies to you, confirm the position with your HR department early.
- Adoption: the wording of the law refers to a newly born child, so adoption is not clearly covered. Some employers extend the benefit as a matter of policy — worth asking.
How to Apply for Parental Leave
The process is straightforward, but doing it in the right order avoids disputes:
- Decide your dates. Remember the six-month deadline runs from the birth date, not from when you get around to applying. Mark it on your calendar the week the baby arrives.
- Check your company’s procedure. Most employers handle leave through an HR portal, an email request, or a standard form. Your employment contract or staff handbook may set notice requirements — follow them.
- Apply with proof attached. Attach a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Applying a few days in advance is good practice, though the law does not prescribe a specific notice period.
- Get written confirmation. Keep a copy of the approved request. If anything is disputed later, a paper trail matters.
Because the leave can be taken intermittently, some parents split it — a day or two around the birth, and the rest later in the six-month window when the family needs an extra pair of hands. Agree the pattern with your manager so cover is arranged.
What About the Admin After the Birth?
Leave is only one part of becoming a parent in the UAE. Once the baby is born, you will also need to arrange a residence visa for the newborn if you are an expatriate family — our guide to UAE family visa sponsorship walks through the requirements and timelines. Health insurance for the child is another item to sort early, since newborns need cover from the start.
What If Your Employer Refuses or Delays?
Parental leave is a statutory right, not a favour — an employer cannot lawfully refuse it, reduce the days, or make it unpaid. If you run into resistance, raise it with HR in writing first and reference Article 32 of the Labour Law. Keep copies of your leave request, the approval (or refusal), and the birth certificate.
If the issue is not resolved internally, employees can raise a labour complaint with MOHRE, which handles disputes between workers and employers in the private sector. Having your documentation in order makes that process far smoother.
Free Zones and Special Cases
The rules above apply to the mainland private sector under the federal Labour Law. Financial free zones such as DIFC and ADGM operate their own employment laws, so if you work in one of those zones, confirm which regime your contract falls under and check its parental leave provisions with your HR team.
Common Mistakes That Cost People Their Leave
- Missing the six-month window. This is the single biggest reason people lose the entitlement. The clock starts on the birth date, and unused days do not carry over or get paid out.
- Trying to take it during maternity leave. Mothers should schedule parental leave after maternity leave ends, not concurrently.
- Assuming it’s unpaid or discretionary. It is neither — five days, full pay, by law.
- Not keeping proof. Without the birth certificate copy and an approved request on file, a dispute becomes your word against the company’s.
- Forgetting the father qualifies too. Some dads never apply because nobody told them the entitlement includes them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is parental leave paid in full in the UAE?
Yes. The law grants five working days of parental leave on full pay. It is not a half-pay or unpaid arrangement, and your employer cannot lawfully reduce the pay for those days.
Can both parents take parental leave at the same time?
Yes. Each parent has an independent entitlement of five days. You can be on leave together in the first week after the birth, or stagger your days — whatever suits the family.
Can I split the five days across several weeks?
Yes. The law expressly allows the leave to be taken continuously or intermittently within the six-month window. Agree the pattern with your manager so work cover is arranged.
What happens if I don’t use the leave within six months?
The entitlement lapses. Unused parental leave days are not carried forward, and there is no provision for a cash payment in lieu. Plan your dates well before the deadline.
Do I need a minimum length of service to qualify?
No. The Labour Law does not set a qualifying service period for parental leave — it applies from the moment you are employed under a private-sector contract.
Do I get extra days for twins?
The law grants five working days per the birth event as most employers interpret it, so twins do not automatically double the entitlement. Check your company’s policy, as some employers are more generous.
Can my employer refuse parental leave?
No. It is a statutory entitlement under Article 32 of the Labour Law. If an employer refuses or penalises you for taking it, raise the matter with HR in writing and, if needed, with MOHRE.
The Bottom Line
The UAE gives both parents five fully paid working days after a child’s birth — a modest but meaningful entitlement that too many employees leave unused. Know the six-month window, keep your birth certificate copy ready, take the days separately from maternity leave, and don’t be shy about claiming what the law already gives you.
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.