Dubai: UAE Govt Staff to Receive 10-Day Paid Marriage Leave

In a move designed to assist Emirati families, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has also declared a new 10-day fully paid leave for UAE citizens in government departments for the purpose of getting married.

The new benefit is made official in Decree No. (31) of 2025. This benefit is effective from January 1, 2025.

Who is Eligible to use the Leave?

• The paid leave is available to UAE citizens employed in
• Government departments in Dubai
• Special development & free zones (DFZ)
• Judicial & military authorities (except candidates)

To be eligible:

• Employee should have already finished their probation period.
• Their spouse should be a UAE citizen.
• The marriage contract should be certified, and the date on the marriage contract is after December 31, 2024.
• To apply, the employee only needs one certified copy of the marriage contract.

Read Also : Why should Global Village Dubai be on your travel list?

Full Salary, Flexibility, and Leave Transfer

Employees will receive their full gross salary, including all allowances and benefits, during their marriage leave. They will have 10 days to use all together, in parts, and at any time within one year of their marriage contract. If they choose to, the leave (or remaining days) may also be carried over into the following year, with approval from the supervisor.

No Disturbance while on Leave

Government departments are prohibited from recalling employees on marriage leave, unless they are military personnel and duty requires it.Should an employee be called for a national service or reserve duty while on a marriage leave, they may take the remaining days in part until 1 year from the date they returned to work.

Prior Leave Across Departments

If an employee goes to a new department, or to another government authority, the employee can utilize leftover marriage leave from their previous employment.

Enforcement of the Law

The Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai will issue further decisions to implement the decree. All previous laws that are inconsistent with this decree will be considered cancelled. This marks yet another expression of the continued commitment of UAE leadership for the enhancement of family values and the support of citizens’ work-life balance.