UAE Sick Leave Law 2026: Pay, Medical Reports And 90 Days
UAE sick leave becomes stressful when the employee is already unwell.
That is why the rule needs to be clear before the medical report, payroll query, or manager message arrives.
This guide explains the 90-day sick leave structure for private-sector employees in 2026.
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Quick Answer
A private-sector employee in the UAE is entitled to sick leave of up to 90 days per year of service after completing probation. The official UAE Government sick leave page states that the first 15 days are on full pay, the next 30 days are on half pay, and the remaining 45 days are unpaid.
The 90-Day Sick Leave Structure
- First 15 days: full pay.
- Next 30 days: half pay.
- Remaining 45 days: unpaid.
The 90 days can be continuous or intermittent. That means separate sickness periods can still count towards the annual service-year limit.
Sick Leave During Probation
Paid sick leave does not apply during probation in the same way. The official page says a worker is not entitled to paid sick leave during the probationary period, although the employer may grant unpaid sick leave based on a recognised medical report.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the law. New employees often assume every certified sick day must be paid. During probation, that assumption can be wrong.
Medical Report And Notice
The employee must notify the employer about sickness within a maximum of three days and submit a medical report issued by the medical entity.
Do not treat the medical certificate as a formality. In a real HR file, late notification and missing medical evidence can change how the absence is handled.
When Sick Leave May Not Be Paid
The official UAE Government page lists situations where an employee may be ineligible for paid sick leave, including during probation, illness arising from misconduct such as alcohol or narcotics, or violation of safety instructions under applicable rules.
That does not mean every absence can be challenged casually. It means HR must document the reason and apply the policy consistently.
Can An Employer Terminate During Sick Leave?
The official page says an employer may not dismiss an employee or give termination notice while the employee is on sick leave. If the employee uses all 90 days and still cannot return to work, the employer may terminate services, while end-of-service benefits remain subject to the labour law.
This is a serious point. Employees should not panic after one medical absence. Employers should not turn sickness into a shortcut for dismissal.
Practical HR Checks
- Confirm probation status.
- Record the sick leave dates.
- Attach the medical report.
- Track full-pay, half-pay, and unpaid days separately.
- Keep termination conversations away from active sick leave.
Related Guides
Useful Sources
Sick leave is not a favour and it is not a loophole. It is a protected process, and the paperwork decides how cleanly that process works.
