Last updated: June 2026 · Educational checklist · Not legal advice
What to check on the salary certificate
Before using a UAE gratuity calculator, confirm whether your document clearly separates basic salary from allowances. Gratuity estimates commonly depend on basic salary, so a vague salary certificate can create a bad estimate.
- Employee name and employer name match your contract.
- Basic salary is shown separately from housing, transport, phone, commission, and other allowances.
- Joining date and last working date match HR records.
- Unpaid leave periods are recorded, if any.
- Final settlement includes gratuity, unpaid salary, leave salary, notice pay, and deductions as separate lines.
Why basic salary matters
The UAE Government portal says end-of-service gratuity for foreign private-sector workers is calculated on the last wage the worker was entitled to, namely the basic salary, and excludes allowances such as housing and transportation.
Use the salary certificate as evidence for the number you enter into the calculator, then compare your estimate with the employer's final settlement.
Fast calculation example
If your total monthly package is AED 14,000 but the salary certificate shows AED 8,000 basic salary, a simple gratuity estimate should usually start with AED 8,000, not AED 14,000. That difference matters. Tiny HR labels, big money consequences.