Last updated: July 17, 2026 | Educational estimate | Not legal advice
UAE labour-law gratuity questions usually come down to basic salary, service period, and why employment ended. This page gives a plain-English overview.
How to estimate the amount
The simple estimate starts with basic salary, not total package. Divide basic salary by 30 to estimate a daily basic wage, then multiply by eligible gratuity days.
- Less than 1 year: commonly estimated as no gratuity.
- 1 to 5 years: commonly 21 days of basic salary per year.
- Over 5 years: commonly 21 days per year for the first 5 years, then 30 days per additional year.
- Total gratuity is generally limited and special cases can change the result.
Before relying on the number
Check your employment contract, basic salary, unpaid leave, free-zone rules, final settlement details, and current UAE labour guidance. This website provides estimates only and is not legal advice.
Records to collect first
Before applying a labour-law gratuity estimate to a real final settlement, collect the contract, salary certificate or other basic-salary proof, joining date, last working date, unpaid leave records, final-settlement breakdown, and any written employer calculation. The estimate is easier to challenge or correct when every number has a document behind it.
For a more detailed document workflow, use the final-settlement calculator guide and the termination gratuity checklist.
Official sources to check
Use the estimate as a worksheet, then compare it with the official UAE Government end-of-service benefits page and MoHRE worker guidance before relying on a final-settlement number.
- UAE Government: end-of-service benefits for private-sector employees
- MoHRE: worker rights and end-of-service benefits
Source links checked July 17, 2026.
Quick FAQ
What does UAE labour-law gratuity usually depend on?
For a simple private-sector estimate, gratuity usually depends on continuous service length, last basic wage, unpaid absence, work pattern, and whether a special system or exception applies.
Which salary figure should I check first?
Official UAE and MoHRE guidance says end-of-service benefits for full-time foreign private-sector workers are calculated according to basic wage, not the full package with allowances.
What documents should I collect before applying a labour-law gratuity estimate?
Collect the contract, salary certificate or basic-salary proof, joining date, last working date, unpaid leave records, final-settlement breakdown, and any written employer calculation.
Is this UAE labour-law gratuity page legal advice?
No. This page is an educational checklist and calculator guide. For disputes, unusual contracts, free-zone issues, or alternative end-of-service schemes, check official guidance or qualified professional advice.