10 Day Paid Marriage Leave for Dubai Employees

Dubai Grants 10 Day Paid Marriage Leave for Government Employees

In a move to enhance family wellbeing and support Emirati citizens, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No. (31) of 2025, introducing a new provision for 10 working days of fully paid marriage leave for UAE nationals working in Dubai’s government sector.

The decree, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025, reflects Dubai’s broader strategy to reinforce national values, social stability, and the wellbeing of its Emirati workforce.

Key Provisions of the Decree

1. Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the paid marriage leave:

• The employee must be a UAE national employed by a Dubai government entity, including those in special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
  
  
• Their spouse must also be a UAE citizen.
  
  
• The employee must have successfully completed the probation period as defined by the HR policies of their entity.
  
  
• The marriage contract must be concluded after December 31, 2024 and certified by the relevant authority.

2. Leave Entitlement and Conditions

• Employees are entitled to 10 working days of paid marriage leave, with full gross salary, including all allowances and financial benefits.
  
  
• The leave may be taken at any time within one year of the marriage date and can be used either continuously or intermittently.
  
  
• Employees may combine marriage leave with other eligible leave types under their entity’s HR regulations.

3. Leave Transfer and Special Circumstances

• Government entities may approve postponement of unused leave to the following year for valid reasons.
  
  
• If the employee is called up for national service or urgent military duty, the unused marriage leave can be transferred until after their return.
  
  
• If the employee transfers to another government department, their marriage leave rights carry over.

4. Restrictions and Exceptions

• No employee may be summoned to work during marriage leave, except for military personnel under exceptional circumstances.
  
  
• A copy of the certified marriage contract must be submitted to the employer only once when applying for the leave.

Legal and HR Implications

This decree significantly expands the rights of UAE national employees in Dubai and aligns with efforts to create a progressive and family-focused employment environment. It also integrates with Dubai’s vision of modern governance by offering:

• Improved work-life balance for Emirati staff,
  
  
• Greater employee retention in the public sector,
  
  
• Harmonisation of benefits across government and quasi-government entities.
  
  

Employers must ensure that internal HR policies and employee handbooks are updated to reflect the new entitlements and comply with leave recording and verification procedures.

Advisory from Al Kabban & Associates

At Al Kabban & Associates, we regularly advise public and private sector employers on compliance with the evolving HR regulatory landscape in Dubai and the UAE.

For government employees and HR professionals, this decree brings new compliance duties and opportunities. If you are unsure about how this law may affect your employment rights or obligations as an entity, our employment law specialists can help you:

• Draft or amend HR policies to comply with the new decree,
  
  
• Ensure eligibility screening processes are legally sound,
  
  
• Advise on exceptional circumstances such as leave deferral and carryover.

For more information or legal assistance, contact us at +971 4 453 9090 or visit www.alkabban.com. 

You can also follow us on social media for more updates on everything law related in the UAE: @Alkabban_Law