Can employees take full annual leave at the start of the year?

Ashish Mehta

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Question: How is the annual leave balance calculated in mainland UAE companies? Are leave days credited at the start of the year or accrued monthly? I'm asking because I plan to take a month-long leave for my wedding in March 2026, but my HR team says it's not possible since I won't have enough leave balance by then.

Answer: In the UAE, an employee is entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave on completion of each year of service. This is in accordance with Article 29(1)(a) of the UAE Employment Law, which states, "Without prejudice to the rights accruing to the employee prior to the entry into force of this Decree-Law, the employee shall be entitled to a paid annual leave of not less than thirty days a year for each year of service."