In 2025, UAE grants an essential legal right of new fathers- to bond with their newborn baby without the fear of losing income- paternity leave in UAE. Moreover, under the Federal Decree‑Law No. 6 of 2020, male employees in the private sector are entitled to 5 working days of fully paid leave and the leave should be taken within 6 months of the birth of the child.
Thus, this guide explains who is eligible, the difference between the private and public sector regulations, and the obligations of the employers in the UAE labour law.
What is Paternity Leave in UAE?
A father is legally allowed to take paternity leave to spend time with his newborn away from his job. It is necessary to provide paternity leave in UAE to male employees.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Leave Duration | 5 working days (fully paid) |
| Eligibility Window | Within 6 months of child’s birth |
| Private Sector | 5 days (all employers, except ADGM/DIFC) |
| Public Sector | Typically 3 days (varies by emirate) |
| Legal Basis | Federal Decree‑Law No. 6 of 2020 |
| Paid Parental Leave | 5 working days for both parents |
Law on Paternity Leave in UAE (2025)
What’s more, UAE made history by becoming the first Gulf nation to do provide paternity leave in UAE to employees in the private sector. This is following the 2020 amendment in Federal Decree-Law No. 6. As a result, fathers have since become legally eligible fot 5 working days of paid paternity leave. Thus, it should be taken within 6 months of the birth of the child.
Moreover, this rule is effective as of 2025 in all private companies in the UAE, regardless of nationality or the size of the company.
Thus, fathers can take this leave either consecutively or non-consecutively and has to be availed within 180 calendar days of the birth of the child.
Fact: Although, It does not specify inclusion of the weekends or any public holidays in the five days, it is only the working days that are used under UAE labour law.
Paternity Leave in UAE for Private Sector 2025
In addition to the newly passed law in the UAE entitles male employees to get 5 days of paid paternity leave. However, this is to be taken within the first 6 months of the child’s birth.
Moreover, regular weekends are not counted as part of the paternity leave.
Note: However, female employees are not eligible for this leave, as they already receive 45 days of fully paid maternity leave in the UAE if they have served at least 1 year with the organization.
Paternity Leave in UAE for Public Sector 2025
In UAE, the Federal Government typically entitles all male employees to 3 days of fully paid paternity leave in UAE. However, this may vary.
Furthermore, the policies in the public sector are not centralized like those in the private sector. Thus, each organization/ entity in the public sector has its own standards depending on their internal policies.
Employee Tip: Your HR department or official contract can confirm whether or not you are entitled to public HR Law or Civil Service rules.
Benefits of Paternity Leave in UAE
Also, fathers in the UAE will receive full pay during their paternity leave days. Employers should not make any kind of deductions from their employee’s salary for parental leave.
Note: However, the law will not change even if there are multiple births at a time.
Remain In compliance with Paternity Leave Laws in UAE with Zimyo
Since the administration of paternity leave policies in different jurisdictions may be a tricky subject – particularly in the case of a business establishment that has to comply with constantly changing labour regulations in the UAE.
Moreover, when you use Zimyo Payroll, there is no need to be concerned with leave balances tracking, eligibility rules, or local compliance.
Why Zimyo HR & Payroll?
Automated Leave Tracking: Leave (paid, half paid and unpaid) period (according to UAE law) can be automatically calculated.
Custom Leave Policies: Adoption leave, extensions, and other varieties are simple to set up and apply to your workforce.
Compliance Monitoring:Keep in touch with the live law updates – MOHRE updates, as well as amendments within a specific sector.
Employee Self-Service: Allow your staff to check the leave balances, request to go on leave and provide them with online access to their documents.
HR Dashboard: HR can get a centralized view of all the leave statuses to ensure there is zero legal slip up.
Why 2500+ Customers Trust Zimyo
Applying for Paternity Leave : Step-by-Step Guide
Furthermore ,the male employees can apply for paternity leave in UAE 2 or 3 days before the baby is expected to be born. Consequently, to apply for the leave you must follow these steps:
- Create a leave plan for the person who will be covered for those paternity leave days.
- Let employees know about the leave
- Make sure their colleagues are aware of their leave
- Ensure employees come back once the leave ends so work can be carried out smoothly
Paternity Leave : Best Practices
Besides complying with the UAE Labour Law regarding the paternity leave in UAE, the employers should follow certain practices as team members:
Communicate Paternity Leave Policies to Employees
All in all, employers should communicate their paternity leave in UAE policy to employees in advance so that they are aware of their entitlements. Therefore, these policies must include in the company’s policies or employee’s handbook.
Offer Additional Support
Considering an employer can provide additional support to the employees who take paternity leave Iin UAE Fsuch as providing them work from home for a few days or some resources male employees would require as a father.
Ensure compliance with UAE Paternity Leave and other Employment Laws
Although the employer may choose to provide employees with paternity leave beyond the prescribed limit, it is also necessary to comply with the UAE Labour Law regarding Paternity Leave.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The private sector provides 5 days of paid paternity leave that should be used within 6 months after childbirth. In public sector the employees normally have 3 days off as per the internal human resource policies.
Yes. The paternity leave in the private and public sector is fully paid. The Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2020 demands this.
Paternity leave can be taken as consecutive or not as well, but it must be taken within 6 months of the birth.
No. The 5 days excludes weekends and public holidays and are working days.
It is usually a copy of birth certificate of the child and formal leave application letter to the HR.
Yes. The law applies to the whole of the male employees of the privately owned sector whether the employee is a national or designate.
DIFC and ADGM have their employment laws. Even though many employers tend to follow the federal law, leaves may be various. Workers may refer to their employment agreement or to local free zone regulations.
