Dubai Offers Newlyweds Paid 10-Day Marriage Leave
Dubai has implemented a new policy that allows Emirati nationals working for all of its government agencies to take ten working days of fully compensated marital leave.
Employees must finish their probation, get married to a UAE national, and have their marriage contract formally confirmed by December 31, 2024, in order to be eligible. For verification, a certified copy of the contract needs to be provided.
During the absence, employees will be paid their entire gross wage, including all benefits. The leave must be used within a year of the marriage date and may be used in full or in parts. Under some circumstances, unused leave may be carried over with a supervisor’s consent.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the proposal under Decree No. (31) of 2025, which is scheduled to go into force on January 1, 2025. It is a reflection of Dubai’s continuous attempts to uphold family values and encourage work-life balance.
Emiratis employed in a variety of fields are covered by the policy, including government agencies, courts, the military (apart from trainees), free zones, and establishments such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It is also feasible to expand in the future to incorporate other categories.
The regulation further states that, save for military personnel, no government agency may recall an employee while they are on marriage leave.
Dubai continues to set a regional standard for innovative, people-focused administration that prioritizes both professional and personal well-being by providing newlyweds with significant support.
