How Many Paid Sick Leave Days Am I Entitled to in the UAE?

Key facts

The specifics, before the explanation.

• Total entitlement: up to 90 days per year, once probation is complete
• Days 1-15: full basic salary
• Days 16-45: half basic salary
• Days 46-90: unpaid
• Sick leave can be taken continuously or intermittently across the year
• During probation, paid sick leave isn't guaranteed, though unpaid leave may be granted at the employer's discretion with medical evidence

What this actually means

The 90-day figure sounds generous, and structurally it is, but the pay tapers quickly. Only the first 15 days come at full salary, so a genuinely serious illness that keeps you off work for a month or more will mean a real income drop, not just paperwork. It's worth planning for that gap rather than assuming 90 days means 90 days of full pay.

The notification and documentation rules matter as much as the entitlement itself. You need to tell your employer within 3 days of becoming unable to work, and back it up with a medical certificate from a properly authorised provider, not just any note. Employers can reasonably decline unsupported sick leave claims that miss this window.

During your probation period specifically, you're in a different situation: paid sick leave isn't guaranteed by law the same way, though many employers extend it as a matter of policy or goodwill. If you're early in a new role and unwell, it's worth asking HR directly what applies rather than assuming the full 90-day structure is already in effect.

What to actually do

Rules and figures move. Confirm anything time-sensitive with the official regulator before you rely on it.

• Notify your employer within 3 days of becoming sick, in writing where possible
• Get your medical certificate from an authorised UAE healthcare provider, not just any clinic receipt
• Track how many sick days you've used at full pay versus half pay if an illness runs long
• Ask HR directly what applies to you if you're still within your probation period
• Confirm your specific entitlement with MOHRE or your HR team, since exact provisions can vary slightly by case

Frequently asked questions

Do I get paid sick leave during my probation period?

Not automatically under the core statutory entitlement. Some employers extend paid sick leave during probation as policy, but it isn't guaranteed the same way as after probation ends.

What happens if I don't provide a medical certificate?

Your employer can reasonably decline to treat unsupported absence as approved sick leave, so getting a certificate from an authorised provider matters even for shorter illnesses.

Can unused sick leave be carried over or paid out?

Sick leave is generally not a bankable entitlement like annual leave — it exists to cover illness as it happens, rather than accruing or being cashed out when you leave.

Sources

Referenced for this guide:

• U.AE (Official UAE Government Portal): Sick leave