UAE GratuityUAE gratuity after 20 years of service
An expatriate worker in the UAE private sector who completes 20 years with the same employer is entitled to 555 days of basic salary as end-of-service gratuity, which is 18.50 months of basic salary.
How the 555 days are made up
The first 5 years earn 21 days each (105 days) and the 15 years after that earn 30 days each (450 days), a total of 555 days.
What it comes to on common salaries
| Basic salary a month | Gratuity | Per year of service |
|---|---|---|
| AED 1,500 | AED 27,750 | AED 1,388 |
| AED 2,000 | AED 37,000 | AED 1,850 |
| AED 3,000 | AED 55,500 | AED 2,775 |
| AED 4,000 | AED 74,000 | AED 3,700 |
| AED 5,000 | AED 92,500 | AED 4,625 |
| AED 7,500 | AED 138,750 | AED 6,938 |
| AED 10,000 | AED 185,000 | AED 9,250 |
| AED 15,000 | AED 277,500 | AED 13,875 |
| AED 20,000 | AED 370,000 | AED 18,500 |
One more year
With 21 years of service the gratuity would be 585 days; on a basic salary of AED 5,000 that is AED 97,500, which is AED 5,000 more than now.
Points to remember
- Only the last basic salary counts, not housing, transport or other allowances.
- Unpaid absence days are taken off the service count.
- The employer must pay within 14 days of the end of the contract, and may deduct amounts the worker owes.
Common questions
How much gratuity after 20 years in the UAE?
555 days of basic salary, which is 18.50 months. On a basic salary of AED 5,000 that is AED 92,500.
Does the gratuity include allowances?
No: only the last basic salary counts (u.ae).
Sources
- UAE Government portal u.ae, "End of service benefits for workers in the private sector" (u.ae), read on 13 November 2026. It quotes Article 51 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Article 30 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. Everything about the 21 and 30 days, the two-year cap, the basic salary, the 14-day payment deadline, part-time workers and the Savings Scheme comes from that page.
- The only assumption: a "day" of salary is the monthly basic salary divided by 30. The page does not state the divisor; check how your employer or MOHRE counts it.
Rules read on 13 November 2026 from the UAE Government portal. They apply to expatriate workers in the private sector; Emiratis follow the pension and social security legislation. Laws change and your contract may give more. This site is not connected with the UAE Government or MOHRE and gives no legal advice: contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for your own case.