How Long is Maternity Leave in the UAE - Duration, Benefits, and Laws in 2025: Your Complete Guide

30-05-2025

Maternity leave is one of the most significant benefits offered to working women in the UAE, ensuring time to recover from childbirth and care for their newborns. The UAE government has crafted progressive maternity leave policies, aligning with global standards to support mothers during this transformative phase. These policies provide working mothers with the opportunity to balance their professional responsibilities and the joys of parenthood, ensuring the well-being of both mothers and their families.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), maternity leave is a legally mandated employee benefit designed to protect the rights of working mothers while promoting family health and stability. The policies allow mothers sufficient time to recover physically, bond with their newborns, and adjust to their roles as parents without fear of losing their jobs.

This blog explores maternity leave in the UAE in detail, covering its duration, eligibility requirements, compensation, and additional entitlements for medical reasons. Employers and employees alike can benefit from understanding these policies to ensure compliance and support during this critical time.

How Much Maternity Leave Is Provided in the UAE?

Female employees in the UAE are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, with 45 days at full pay and 15 days at half pay. This leave can begin up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. In cases of medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, mothers can avail themselves of an additional 45 days of unpaid leave.

Why Is Maternity Leave in UAE Important?

Offering maternity leave ensures the physical and emotional well-being of mothers, infants, and families. It supports recovery, fosters stronger mother-child bonds, and empowers women to rejoin the workforce without compromising their health or family obligations.

What is Maternity Leave?

Maternity Leave in the UAE is a legally mandated period during which expectant and new mothers are given time off from work to focus on their health, recovery, and the care of their newborns. This leave supports mothers as they navigate the critical stages of childbirth and early parenthood. Typically, maternity leave is paid, allowing women to maintain financial stability while prioritizing their well-being and creating a nurturing environment for their child.

In the UAE, maternity leave policies are designed to empower working mothers while fostering a family-friendly workplace. These provisions reflect the country’s commitment to balancing professional responsibilities and family life, ensuring that women are supported both during and after their pregnancy.

The concept of maternity leave also extends to recognizing the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery, providing women the necessary time and space to return to work fully prepared and refreshed.

Legal Framework for Maternity Leave in the UAE

The maternity leave in the UAE is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which replaced the earlier UAE Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980). This updated legislation reinforces the rights of female employees, ensuring they are adequately supported during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Under the law, all female employees in the private and public sectors, including those employed under full-time, part-time, or limited-term contracts, are entitled to maternity leave. The legislation also applies to those working in free zones, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the UAE.

The key provisions for maternity leave include:

1. Female employees are entitled to 60 calendar days of maternity leave, divided into 45 days of fully paid leave and 15 days of half-paid leave.
2. Maternity leave begins either prior to the delivery date or upon childbirth, as chosen by the employee.
3. If a mother faces health complications due to pregnancy or childbirth, additional unpaid leave can be availed upon submission of a medical certificate.

These measures reflect the UAE's commitment to supporting working mothers, balancing their professional and personal responsibilities.

Key Updates in the Legal Framework

The newer Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 introduces more flexibility and inclusivity:

1. Flexibility for Extended Leave: Employees can take up to 45 additional days of unpaid leave if a certified medical condition arises due to pregnancy or childbirth complications.
2. Equal Rights Across Sectors: Both public and private sector employees are now entitled to the same benefits, ensuring equity.
3. Inclusive Coverage: Employees working in all sectors, including free zones, are covered under this law.

This comprehensive approach to maternity leave in the UAE ensures mothers are supported both legally and financially during a critical phase of life.

Eligibility Criteria for Maternity Leave in the UAE

In the UAE, female employees are entitled to maternity leave based on specific criteria that ensure both their health and legal rights are protected during this important life event. Here is an updated breakdown of the eligibility requirements for maternity leave in the UAE:

Employment Status

To qualify for maternity leave, the employee must be employed in a permanent or regular position. Part-time or temporary workers may not be entitled to the full benefits of maternity leave.

Service Period

A female employee must have completed at least one continuous year of service with the same employer to qualify for paid maternity leave. However, if she has not completed the required service period, she may still be entitled to maternity leave but it could be unpaid.

Medical Documentation

The employee must provide a medical certificate from an authorized medical practitioner confirming the pregnancy and expected date of delivery. This documentation is required to validate the claim for maternity leave and ensure that the employee is granted the appropriate benefits.

Other Conditions

In addition to the above criteria, some companies may have additional requirements based on their internal policies. Employees are encouraged to review their company’s maternity leave policies to ensure they meet all necessary conditions.

Understanding the eligibility for maternity leave in the UAE ensures that female employees can plan accordingly for their time off and take advantage of the legal benefits they are entitled to during their pregnancy and after childbirth.

Duration of Maternity Leave in the UAE

Maternity leave in the UAE is governed by the UAE Labour Law, offering significant support to female employees during and after pregnancy. The law ensures that working mothers can take the time they need to recover from childbirth and care for their newborns.

According to the UAE Labour Law, female employees are entitled to a minimum of 45 days of fully paid maternity leave, with an additional 15 days of half-paid leave. The total duration of maternity leave can extend to 90 days under specific circumstances, combining paid, half-paid, and unpaid leave options.

One of the notable features of UAE maternity leave is flexibility. Expecting mothers have the option to begin their maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected delivery date. This allows mothers to prepare for childbirth and manage their health and well-being in advance of the delivery.

In cases where pregnancy complications or childbirth-related issues arise, mothers can take additional leave of up to 45 days. To qualify for this extended leave, a medical certificate from a recognized healthcare provider is required. This ensures that mothers who face challenges during their pregnancy or post-delivery recovery receive the support they need.

1. If the newborn child is ill or has a disability, mothers are entitled to an additional 30 days of fully paid leave.
2. In some cases, a further 30 days of unpaid leave can also be granted, contingent on the submission of a medical certificate. This ensures that mothers can prioritize the health of their child without the added stress of work commitments.

A significant change to the UAE Labour Law took place in 2019, when the government approved an amendment that extended the overall maternity leave duration. The revised law allows for a total of up to 90 days of maternity leave, factoring in both paid and unpaid leave, including sick leave or annual leave.

The new law applies to all female employees, whether they are employed in the public or private sector, ensuring equal benefits for all working mothers across the UAE. In addition to the maternity leave, new mothers are also eligible for extra breaks of two hours a day to nurse their babies, promoting the health and well-being of both the mother and the child.

With these generous provisions, the UAE’s maternity leave policies aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment for working mothers, allowing them to balance their professional responsibilities with the crucial role of motherhood.

Compensation During Maternity Leave in the UAE

Full Pay for the First 45 Days: Female employees on maternity leave are entitled to receive full pay for the first 45 days. This pay includes base salary along with any regular allowances and benefits.

1. Half Pay for the Following 15 Days: After the first 45 days, employees are entitled to an additional 15 days of maternity leave at half pay.
2. No Deduction from Accrued Leave: The compensation during maternity leave is not deducted from the employee’s accrued leave balance, ensuring that their regular paid leave entitlements are unaffected.
3. Employer’s Responsibility: The employer is required to provide these payments during maternity leave as part of their obligation under UAE labor laws.
4. Financial Security for Mothers: This compensation allows new mothers to focus on their health, recovery, and newborn care without facing financial strain.
5. Legal Obligation: These maternity leave provisions are part of the UAE’s legal framework, ensuring support for working mothers in the country.

Additional Leave Entitlement for Medical Reasons

In addition to the standard maternity leave, female employees in the UAE are entitled to additional leave in case of pregnancy-related complications or medical conditions that prevent them from returning to work. This entitlement ensures that mothers who experience difficult pregnancies or post-birth recovery can focus on their health without the added stress of work. If a female employee faces complications during her pregnancy, she may be granted up to 45 days of additional leave, which is fully paid.

Moreover, if a child is born prematurely or has a disability, the mother is entitled to an additional 30 days of fully paid leave. In some cases, she may also request up to 30 days of unpaid leave to manage the child’s health or developmental needs. These provisions aim to provide mothers with the necessary support to care for their health and their child without compromising their financial well-being.

Recent Amendments to UAE Maternity Leave Law

The UAE has introduced several key amendments to its maternity leave law over the past few years, ensuring that working mothers receive enhanced support during and after pregnancy. These changes reflect the UAE government's commitment to supporting families and improving work-life balance. Some of the recent developments include:

Extended Maternity Leave Duration

In 2019, the UAE government made a significant change by extending the overall duration of maternity leave from 45 days to up to 90 days. This amendment provides more time for mothers to recover and bond with their newborns, allowing them to return to work when they are ready.

Introduction of Paternity Leave

In 2020, the UAE became the first country in the Arab world to introduce paternity leave, offering five days of paid leave for both male and female private-sector employees upon the birth of their child. This policy allows fathers to take time off to support their partners during the early days of childbirth.

Enhanced Leave for Complications and Childcare

The provisions for additional leave for pregnancy-related complications, as well as the need for childcare, have been significantly strengthened. These amendments reflect the government’s efforts to ensure that mothers have sufficient time to recover from medical complications and care for their newborns without compromising their income.

These changes not only provide greater flexibility and support for mothers but also contribute to a more family-friendly environment in the workplace.

Extended Duration of Maternity Leave in the UAE

The UAE has recently taken significant steps to enhance maternity leave policies, offering new mothers more flexibility during a crucial time in their lives. The extended duration of maternity leave enables women to take the necessary time to adjust to motherhood, bond with their newborns, and establish routines that ensure a healthy work-life balance. This extension allows mothers the peace of mind to focus on their family without the immediate pressure of returning to work. By improving these policies, the UAE supports women's health and well-being during one of the most transformative periods in their lives.

Inclusion of Adoptive Mothers in Maternity Leave

A groundbreaking change in the UAE's maternity leave regulations is the inclusion of adoptive mothers. Now, female employees who adopt a child under the age of five are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave, a provision that acknowledges the growing need for support among adoptive parents. This change is a crucial move toward creating an inclusive, family-friendly environment and reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting all forms of parenthood. By offering equal leave to adoptive mothers, the UAE ensures that they, too, have the opportunity to bond with their child and attend to their family’s needs during this important period. This policy shift signifies a meaningful step toward gender equality and family welfare.

Employer Obligations and Compliance

Employers in the UAE are required to:

1. Provide Paid Maternity Leave: As per legal entitlements.
2. Respect Employee Rights: Ensuring no discrimination occurs due to pregnancy or maternity leave.
3. Support Nursing Mothers: By providing nursing breaks and flexible hours.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences and penalties.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While the UAE has made significant progress in maternity leave policies, challenges remain:

1. Awareness Gaps: Many employees are unaware of their rights.
2. Sectoral Differences: Benefits vary widely between public and private sectors.
3. Cultural Norms: Balancing traditional roles with modern workplace demands.

The UAE continues to refine its policies, with potential future developments including longer leave durations and enhanced support for working parents.

Managing Maternity Leave with TimeChart

Managing leave types, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and other types of leave, can be a complex task for both employers and employees in the Middle East. To streamline the process and ensure accuracy in leave tracking, businesses in the middle east are increasingly turning to TimeChart, a time attendance system that offers powerful tools for managing employee attendance and leave requests.

TimeChart helps businesses automate the entire leave process, reducing administrative overhead and ensuring that employees’ leave entitlements are tracked accurately. With features such as leave balance tracking, automated approval workflows, and real-time updates, TimeChart makes it easier for both employers and employees to manage leave efficiently.

The TimeChart system allows employees to submit leave requests online, and supervisors can approve or deny these requests within the system. It also integrates with biometric time attendance systems, ensuring that all leave records are linked to accurate clock-in and clock-out data, making it simpler for businesses to comply with labor laws.

Additionally, TimeChart provides detailed reports, allowing employers to monitor leave patterns, track employee absences, and ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies.

Read more about types of Leaves in UAE Labour Law: Annual Leave in UAE

How Timechart Can Help Businesses, Employees, and Managers

Timechart offers a range of tools and features designed to streamline workforce management. Its user-friendly interface and smart functionalities provide significant benefits for businesses, employees, and managers alike. Let’s explore how Timechart simplifies attendance tracking, unpaid leave management, and overall employee engagement.

Benefits for Businesses

1. Efficient Leave Management:
   • Timechart automates leave tracking, making it easy to manage unpaid leave, annual leave, and sick leave.
   • Businesses can ensure compliance with Labour Laws, reducing legal risks.
2. Accurate Attendance Tracking:
   • Timechart’s biometric attendance system eliminates manual errors and provides real-time updates on employee attendance.
   • Mobile time attendance capabilities ensure remote and on-site employees are accounted for.
3. Improved Compliance:
   • Built-in features help employers stay updated with labour law requirements, including Hajj leave, extended sick leave, and maternity leave policies.
   • Customized reports ensure accurate records for audits or inspections.
4. Cost Savings:
   • Automating processes reduces the need for manual administration, saving time and resources.
   • Detailed analytics provide insights into employee productivity and absenteeism trends, helping businesses optimize their workforce.

Benefits for Employees

1. Transparency in Leave Tracking:
   • Employees can easily apply for unpaid leave and monitor their leave balances using the Timechart app.
   • Automated notifications ensure they are updated on the status of their leave requests.
2. Flexibility for Remote Work:
   • Timechart’s mobile features enable employees to log attendance from anywhere, ensuring seamless workflow for remote or hybrid teams.
3. Access to Records:
   • Employees can access their attendance history, overtime records, and leave applications anytime, promoting trust and transparency.
4. Stress-Free Compliance:
   • With clear visibility into labour law-compliant leave policies, employees feel secure and confident in their entitlements.

Benefits for Managers

1. Centralized Management:
   • Managers can oversee attendance, unpaid leave, and sick leave requests from a single dashboard.
   • Real-time updates allow managers to make informed decisions quickly.
2. Improved Productivity:
   • With attendance data and leave patterns readily available, managers can allocate tasks effectively, avoiding understaffing or overburdening employees.
3. Enhanced Communication:
   • Timechart bridges communication gaps by enabling direct updates on leave approvals, attendance discrepancies, or schedule changes.
4. Performance Insights:
   • Analytics and reports generated by Timechart provide a clear picture of employee performance, enabling proactive management.

Additional Benefits

1. Customizable Policies:
   • Timechart allows businesses to customize leave and attendance policies based on their unique needs while remaining compliant with laws.
2. Cloud-Based Accessibility:
   • As a cloud-based platform, Timechart ensures secure access to data from anywhere, promoting flexibility and scalability.
3. Integration with Payroll:
   • Timechart integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, ensuring accurate calculation of unpaid leave deductions and other benefits.
4. Enhanced Employee Engagement:
   • By reducing administrative burdens and improving communication, Timechart fosters a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Why Choose Timechart?

Timechart’s advanced yet simple tools are designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in the Middle East. It ensures compliance with local labour laws, enhances operational efficiency, and promotes transparency at every level. Whether managing unpaid leave, streamlining attendance tracking, or improving employee satisfaction, Timechart stands out as an invaluable tool for modern workforce management.

Transform Your Business Process with TimeChart - Request a Demo

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Conclusion

The UAE’s maternity leave policies reflect its commitment to supporting working women while maintaining a competitive labor market. With clear guidelines on eligibility, duration, compensation, and additional benefits, these policies aim to create a balanced and family-friendly work environment.

For working mothers, understanding these rights is crucial to ensuring they receive the support they need during this important life phase. Employers, too, have a significant role in fostering a supportive culture that values family and work-life balance.

By staying informed about the latest regulations and benefits, both employees and employers can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable workplace in the UAE.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be completely accurate or up-to-date. While every effort has been made to ensure the content reflects the latest developments, the laws, regulations, and policies regarding maternity leave in the UAE are subject to change. It is strongly recommended that readers consult official government websites or legal professionals for the most current and accurate information regarding maternity leave laws and entitlements. The author and publisher do not accept any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions in the content provided. Always verify any legal information with the appropriate authorities to ensure compliance with the most recent updates.

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