Maternity leave gives new mothers 60 days off, with 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay. Paternity leave, called parental leave under UAE law, gives new fathers and mothers 5 working days on full pay. Maternity leave is available from day one of employment. Paternity leave follows the same rule and can be taken anytime within six months of the birth.
Quick Summary
- Maternity leave in the UAE is 60 calendar days - 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay, under Article 30 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
- Paternity leave, legally called parental leave, is 5 working days on full pay, available to both parents under Article 32(1) of the same law.
- Both entitlements are available from the first day of employment - no minimum service requirement.
- Maternity leave is for birth mothers only. Parental leave applies to both parents, though fathers are the primary users.
- Parental leave can be taken in full or split across separate days, anytime within six months of the birth.
- Employers cannot terminate employment due to pregnancy or maternity leave.
- If a newborn requires constant care due to illness or disability, the mother gets an additional 30 days on full pay, extendable by 30 unpaid days.
- Both leave types run independently - both parents can take leave at the same time.
Maternity Leave vs Paternity Leave at a Glance
| Factor | Maternity Leave | Paternity Leave (Parental Leave) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Recovery after childbirth, newborn care | Support for the family after childbirth |
| Eligibility | All female employees, from day one | Both parents, from day one |
| Leave duration | 60 calendar days | 5 working days |
| Paid or unpaid | 45 days full pay, 15 days half pay | Fully paid |
| Applicable employees | Female private sector employees | Male and female private sector employees |
| Employer obligations | Must grant on request near due date | Must grant within 6 months of birth |
| Required documents | Medical certificate confirming due date or birth | Birth certificate or medical proof |
| UAE Labour Law | Article 30, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 | Article 32(1), Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 |
| Best use cases | Childbirth recovery and infant care | Supporting spouse and bonding with newborn |
What Is Maternity Leave?
Definition
Maternity leave is paid time off for female employees around childbirth. It is set out in Article 30 of the UAE Labour Law.
Purpose
It allows mothers to recover physically after delivery and care for a newborn without losing income.
Eligibility
Every female employee in the private sector qualifies from her first day of employment. There is no minimum service requirement.
Leave Duration
The total entitlement is 60 calendar days - the first 45 days on full pay and the next 15 days on half pay. Leave can start from the last day of the month before the expected delivery month. If the newborn needs constant care due to illness or disability, the mother can get an additional 30 days on full pay after maternity leave ends, extendable by 30 more days unpaid.
What Is Paternity Leave?
Definition
The UAE Labour Law does not use the term "paternity leave" directly. It defines "parental leave" under Article 32, available to both mothers and fathers, though it functions as paternity leave for male employees since mothers already have maternity leave.
Purpose
Parental leave lets new fathers support their spouse and bond with their newborn during the early weeks after birth.
Eligibility
Every employee, male or female, in the private sector qualifies from day one of employment.
Leave Duration
Employees get 5 working days, which can be taken consecutively or in separate days, any time within six months from the date of the child's birth.
Key Differences Between Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave
Eligibility
Maternity leave applies only to the birth mother. Parental leave applies to both parents, though fathers are the primary users since mothers already receive maternity leave.
Leave Entitlement
Maternity leave runs 60 days. Parental leave runs 5 working days.
Salary During Leave
Maternity leave pay reduces after 45 days to half pay for the remaining 15 days. Parental leave is paid in full for all 5 days.
Required Documents
Maternity leave needs a medical certificate confirming the expected or actual delivery date. Parental leave needs proof of birth, such as a birth certificate.
Leave Flexibility
Maternity leave is generally taken as one continuous block around the birth. Parental leave can be split across the six months following the birth, based on employer policy.
Employee Rights
Both parents have a legal right to their respective leave. Employers cannot penalize employees for using either entitlement, and dismissal during maternity leave is prohibited without valid cause unrelated to the pregnancy.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must grant maternity leave on request near the due date and cannot terminate employment due to pregnancy or maternity leave. Employers must also honor the 5-day parental leave request within the six-month window.
Maternity & Paternity Leave Under UAE Labour Law
Legal Provisions
Maternity leave is defined under Article 30. Parental leave is defined under Article 32(1) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Employee Rights
Employees on maternity leave retain their right to other leave types afterward. Breastfeeding mothers are also entitled to nursing breaks for up to six months after returning to work.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must process leave requests promptly, maintain job security during the leave period, and pay wages according to the statutory schedule.
Benefits of Maternity Leave vs Paternity Leave
For Employees
Both leave types protect income and job security during a major life event, reducing financial and emotional stress for new parents.
For Employers
Clear leave policies improve retention and employee trust, and reduce the risk of labour disputes.
For Families
Combined maternity and parental leave gives both parents time to adjust to a new child, supporting the child's early development and the family's wellbeing.
Which Leave Should You Apply For?
Birth of a Child
Mothers apply for maternity leave. Fathers apply for parental leave.
Adoption
UAE Labour Law does not currently provide statutory adoption leave. Some employers extend leave voluntarily as part of company policy.
Multiple Births
The statutory entitlement remains the same regardless of the number of babies born, though some employers offer additional days at their discretion.
Pregnancy Complications
Additional unpaid leave of up to 45 days is available with a medical certificate if illness related to pregnancy or childbirth prevents the mother from returning to work.
Real-Life HR Scenarios
Working Mother
An employee informs HR of her pregnancy and requests maternity leave starting from the month before her due date. HR confirms the 45 days full pay and 15 days half pay schedule.
Working Father
An employee's spouse gives birth. He requests his 5 days of parental leave two months later to help during a difficult recovery period. HR approves it within the six-month window.
Both Parents Employed
Both parents work at the same or different companies. The mother takes her 60-day maternity leave, and the father separately applies for his 5-day parental leave, taken in two parts around key milestones.
Shared Parenting Responsibilities
Some companies allow flexible scheduling of the father's 5 days to align with the mother's return to work, easing the family's childcare transition.
Maternity Leave vs Paternity Leave vs Parental Leave
| Factor | Maternity Leave | Parental Leave (Paternity Use) |
|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | Mother | Father (or mother, in addition to maternity leave) |
| Duration | 60 days | 5 working days |
| Pay | 45 days full, 15 days half | Full pay |
| Window | Around childbirth | Within 6 months of birth |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Employers sometimes fold parental leave into annual leave informally instead of tracking it as a separate entitlement. Employees sometimes miss the six-month window to use their parental leave days, after which the entitlement lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between maternity leave and paternity leave in the UAE?
Maternity leave is a 60-day entitlement for mothers with staged pay. Paternity leave, legally called parental leave, is a 5-working-day fully paid entitlement available to both parents, mainly used by fathers.
How many days of maternity leave are allowed in the UAE?
60 calendar days - 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay.
How many days of paternity leave are available in the UAE?
5 working days, usable any time within six months of the child's birth.
Is maternity leave fully paid in the UAE?
Only the first 45 days are on full pay. The remaining 15 days are on half pay.
Is paternity leave paid in the UAE?
Yes, parental leave is fully paid for all 5 days.
Who is eligible for maternity and paternity leave?
All private sector employees are eligible from their first day of employment, with no minimum service requirement.
Can both parents take leave at the same time?
Yes. Maternity leave and parental leave run independently, so both parents can be off work together if they choose to align their leave.
Can maternity or paternity leave be combined with annual leave?
Yes, employees can extend their time off by combining these leave types with an available annual leave balance, subject to employer approval.
What documents are required to apply for maternity or paternity leave?
A medical certificate confirming the expected or actual delivery date for maternity leave, and a birth certificate or medical proof of birth for parental leave.
What does UAE Labour Law say about maternity and paternity leave?
Maternity leave is covered under Article 30 and parental leave under Article 32(1) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Author(s)
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