15 Types of Leave Approved for Abu Dhabi Government Employees

A new framework defining 15 types of leave for government employees has been introduced under the executive regulations of Law No. (8) of 2025 on human resources, issued by the Department of Government Enablement. The regulations set annual leave between 22 and 30 working days depending on job grade, with 30 days allocated to employees in grade five and above and 22 days for grades six and seven. Employees must complete their probation period before taking annual leave unless otherwise approved, with leave requests automatically considered approved if not processed within seven working days.
Unused leave is carried forward automatically to the following year, up to half the annual entitlement, with provisions allowing additional carry-over subject to approval. Accumulated leave cannot exceed one year’s entitlement. Employees may also request advance salary payments for extended leave periods, within defined limits.
The framework outlines fixed durations for several leave categories, including three months for maternity and adoption leave, six days for paternity leave, 10 days for marriage and bereavement leave, and 15 days for Hajj leave. Additional categories include companion leave, study leave and unpaid leave, each governed by specific conditions.
Sick leave is capped at 15 working days per year with full pay, with short absences permitted without medical certification within defined limits. Longer absences require approval from relevant health authorities, and extended medical leave may trigger assessments of an employee’s fitness for work.
The regulations also include provisions for employees with disabilities, who receive an additional five days of annual leave, as well as options for reduced working hours in certain health-related cases.
All leave is calculated using the Gregorian calendar and includes official public holidays unless stated otherwise.