Somewhere between the scan photos and the hospital bag, most working mums in the UAE open a new tab and type the same question: how much time off will I actually get? The answer depends on who you work for, so it is worth getting clear early, before the third-trimester tiredness sets in.
Quick answer: If you work in the UAE private sector, maternity leave under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 is 60 days: 45 days on full pay followed by 15 days on half pay. When you return to work, you are entitled to nursing breaks of up to one hour a day for six months after your return. Government employees and staff in some free zones follow different rules, so always confirm with your HR team.
Key takeaways
- Private-sector maternity leave in the UAE is 60 days in total: 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay.
- Nursing breaks of up to one hour a day are available for six months after you return to work.
- Federal and emirate government employees, and employees in free zones with their own employment law (such as DIFC and ADGM), have separate rules.
- Additional leave may be available in certain medical situations affecting mother or baby; ask HR what documents they need.
- Many mums extend their time at home by adding annual leave or agreed unpaid leave, by agreement with their employer.
- Rules can change. Check the current position with MOHRE (the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) or your HR team.
How long is maternity leave in the UAE?
For most mums working for a private company on the mainland, the rules come from Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, which took effect in February 2022. Here is the core entitlement at a glance.
| Entitlement | Private sector (mainland) |
|---|---|
| Maternity leave | 60 days in total |
| Full pay | First 45 days |
| Half pay | Following 15 days |
| Nursing breaks after return | Up to 1 hour a day for 6 months |
| Where to check | Your employment contract, HR team and MOHRE |
Two practical points are worth checking with HR. First, ask how "pay" is calculated for your leave, since contracts can split salary into basic pay and allowances. Second, ask whether your company offers anything above the legal minimum. Some employers give more generous maternity leave as a benefit, and it is often written in an employee handbook rather than your contract.
Do government and free zone employees get different maternity leave?
Yes. The federal labour law covers the private sector, but several groups follow their own rules:
- Federal government employees are covered by federal HR legislation, which has its own maternity leave provisions.
- Emirate-level government employees, for example in Dubai or Abu Dhabi government entities, follow their emirate's HR law.
- Financial free zones such as DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws with separate maternity terms.
- Other free zones generally follow the federal labour law, but check your free zone authority's regulations and your contract.
Because these schemes differ and are updated from time to time, the safest step is to ask HR for the policy in writing and check the relevant authority's official website.
When should I tell my employer and plan my leave?
There is no single "right" week, but giving your employer good notice makes planning easier for everyone. A simple timeline many mums follow:
- End of the first trimester (around 12 to 14 weeks): Tell your manager and HR, once you feel ready. Ask for the maternity leave policy in writing.
- Second trimester: Agree your planned start date, how annual leave will be used, and who will cover your work. Confirm how pay will be processed while you are off.
- Around 28 to 32 weeks: Submit any forms HR needs, usually with a medical certificate from your doctor confirming your expected due date.
- Final weeks: Write a clear handover note, set your out-of-office message and share an emergency contact with HR.
- After the birth: Let HR know your baby has arrived and send any documents they request. Keep copies of everything.
Your newborn's paperwork, such as the birth certificate, Emirates ID, passport and residence visa, also runs on deadlines, so it helps to plan it alongside your leave.
Can I extend my maternity leave in the UAE?
Sixty days goes by quickly, especially if you are recovering from a C-section or getting breastfeeding established. Common ways to extend your time at home include:
- Adding annual leave before or after maternity leave, by agreement with your employer.
- Agreed unpaid leave, if your employer is willing.
- Additional medical leave, which the law provides for in certain situations where the mother or baby is unwell after the birth. This normally needs a medical certificate, and the details are worth confirming with HR or MOHRE.
- A phased or flexible return, such as part-time hours or some remote days, if your role and employer allow it.
Put any agreement in writing, including dates, pay and how your role will be held for you.
Do fathers get paternity leave in the UAE?
Private-sector law also includes a short paid parental leave, currently five working days, which either parent can take within six months of the birth. Many dads use it in the first week at home, when practical help matters most. Government and free zone employers have their own policies, so fathers should check with their HR team too.
What are my rights when I go back to work?
Returning to work does not mean giving up breast milk. Under the federal labour law, a mother returning to work is entitled to nursing breaks of up to one hour a day for six months after her return. Ask HR to confirm in writing how the break will be scheduled, whether as one hour or two shorter breaks, and that it is treated as paid working time.
A few things make the return smoother:
- Ask in advance for a private, clean space to express milk and somewhere to store it. A fridge or a cool bag with ice packs both work.
- Start a short practice run of bottle feeds and pumping one to two weeks before your return.
- Agree a regular pumping time with your manager so meetings can be planned around it.
Our guide to pumping at work in the UAE covers schedules, setup and conversations with your manager in detail, and our sample feed, pump and sleep schedule shows how a day can fit together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is maternity leave in the UAE paid?
Yes, for private-sector employees on the mainland. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, maternity leave is 60 days: the first 45 days are on full pay and the next 15 days are on half pay. Government and some free zone employees follow separate rules. Check your contract and ask HR how pay is calculated, as salary structures vary between employers.
Can I take annual leave straight after maternity leave in the UAE?
Many mums do, but it is usually by agreement with the employer rather than an automatic right to choose the dates. Raise it early, ideally in your second trimester, so your manager can plan cover. Ask for the agreed dates in writing. Combining annual leave with maternity leave is one of the most common ways to spend more time at home with your baby.
How long are nursing breaks in the UAE?
Under the federal labour law, mothers returning to work in the private sector are entitled to nursing breaks of up to one hour a day for six months after they return. Your employer will agree how the time is scheduled. Use it to breastfeed if your baby is nearby or to pump milk at work, and ask HR to confirm the arrangement in writing.
Can my employer dismiss me for being pregnant?
UAE labour law prohibits discrimination at work, and dismissing a woman because she is pregnant or on maternity leave is not allowed. If you are worried about your job, keep written records of conversations and emails, and contact MOHRE for guidance or to file a complaint. A qualified employment lawyer can also advise on your specific situation.
Do I get maternity leave if I have only just started my job?
The current federal labour law sets the 60-day entitlement for private-sector employees, but how it applies to someone in probation or very new in a role can depend on the details. Ask HR to confirm your entitlement in writing, and contact MOHRE if anything is unclear. Government and free zone employees should check their own scheme.
This article is for general information and isn't legal advice. UAE employment rules can change, so always check the current position with MOHRE, your HR team or a qualified adviser.
Knowing your maternity leave rights early gives you one less thing to worry about later. Make a simple plan, get key dates in writing, and focus the rest of your energy on resting and getting to know your baby. When you are ready, our guide to postnatal recovery basics is a gentle place to start.
