What does the law say about notice?
Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 covers private-sector employees. It has five parts that matter to you:
- Either side can end the contract for a legitimate reason, but must tell the other side in writing. The notice must be at least 30 days and at most 90 days.
- The contract stays valid until the notice ends. You get your full wage for that time, based on your last wage, and you work if the employer asks you to.
- Both sides can agree to shorten the notice or drop it, as long as your rights for the notice period stay. The notice must be the same for both sides, unless a different one helps the worker.
- The side that does not keep the notice pays the other side a notice period allowance. It equals the worker's wage for the whole notice or the part not served. It is owed even if the other side suffered no loss.
- If the employer ends the contract, you may stay away one working day a week without pay to look for another job. You choose the day and tell the employer at least three days before.
- 1Give written notice
- 2Work the notice, or agree a shorter one
- 3Get your full wage for the notice
- 4Pay or receive the allowance for days not served
How long is my notice?
The number in your contract, between 30 and 90 days. A contract that says 15 days does not beat the law's minimum of 30. A contract that says 120 days does not beat the maximum of 90. If you are unsure, read the notice clause in your signed contract.
The day count matters for your last working day. This table shows where a notice given on 1 November 2026 ends, using the same counting as the UAE notice period calculator:
| Notice | Contract ends on | Job-search days if the employer ends it |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 1 December 2026 | 4 |
| 60 days | 31 December 2026 | 8 |
| 90 days | 30 January 2027 | 12 |
Job-search days are one for every full week of notice. Your contract may count the first day differently, so confirm your last day in writing.
How is notice pay worked out?
The day's wage is your last monthly wage divided by 30. Multiply it by the days not served.
Notice pay = (last wage ÷ 30) × days not served
Notice pay uses your full last wage, so allowances count. This is different from gratuity, which uses basic salary only. If you are in doubt which wage applies, ask MOHRE or read the wage line in your contract.
Three worked examples
Example 1: you resign and leave early
Wage AED 8,000. Contract notice 60 days. You work 20 days, then stop.
- Day's wage: 8,000 ÷ 30 = AED 266.67
- Days not served: 60 − 20 = 40
- You owe the employer: 266.67 × 40 = AED 10,666.67
Example 2: the employer ends your job on the spot
Wage AED 6,000. Notice 30 days. You are sent home the same day.
- Day's wage: 6,000 ÷ 30 = AED 200
- The employer owes you: 200 × 30 = AED 6,000
Example 3: the employer ends it and you work half the notice
Wage AED 5,000. Notice 90 days. You work 45 days.
- Day's wage: 5,000 ÷ 30 = AED 166.67
- Days not served: 45
- The employer owes you: 166.67 × 45 = AED 7,500
- You may also take up to 12 unpaid job-search days over the 90 days
| Example | Wage (AED) | Notice | Days served | Who pays | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8,000 | 60 | 20 | You pay | 10,666.67 |
| 2 | 6,000 | 30 | 0 | Employer pays | 6,000.00 |
| 3 | 5,000 | 90 | 45 | Employer pays | 7,500.00 |
Work out your own notice date and notice pay →
What if I am on probation?
Article 9 has its own rules. During probation, which can last up to six months:
- The employer can end the contract with at least 14 days' written notice.
- If you want to move to another employer in the UAE, you give your current employer at least one month's written notice, and the new employer may have to pay the old one its recruitment costs.
- If you are a foreign worker leaving the UAE, you give at least 14 days' written notice.
The calculator is built for the Article 43 notice of 30 to 90 days, so do not use it for these probation periods.
Mistakes people make
- Thinking a short notice in the contract overrides the 30-day minimum
- Leaving on the last day of the month without counting the notice days
- Using basic salary for notice pay when the law uses the last wage
- Not asking for a shortened notice in writing
- Forgetting that the allowance is part of the final settlement
If the employer owes you more than notice pay, see what to do if your employer is not paying. For every case side by side, read resignation vs termination in the UAE.
These figures are estimates under the published law, not legal advice. The law may be amended, so check the current text or MOHRE before you act.
Questions people ask about the UAE notice period
Can I leave without serving my notice? Yes, if your employer agrees, ideally in writing. If not, you owe the notice period allowance for the days you skip (Article 43(3)).
Do I get paid during the notice period? Yes. Your contract stays valid and you get your full wage, based on your last wage (Article 43(2)).
Can my employer make me work the whole notice? Yes, if the employer asks you to work. Both sides can also agree to a shorter notice or none, while your rights for the notice period stay.
Can I take a day off to look for a job? Yes, one unpaid working day a week, but only when the employer ends the contract. Tell the employer at least three days before (Article 43(5)).
When is the notice pay settled? With your final settlement. The employer must pay your wages and other dues within 14 days of the end of the contract (Article 53).