His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Approves 10-Day Paid Marriage Leave for Emirati Government Employees

In a move to further support family life among Emirati citizens, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a new decree (Decree No. 31 of 2025) introducing a 10-day fully paid marriage leave for UAE national employees working in Dubai’s government sector.

 

Under the new regulation, eligible employees will be entitled to 10 working days of gross salary, including all allowances and financial benefits, upon marriage. This leave can be taken at any point within one year of the date of the certified marriage contract and may be used either continuously or in separate intervals.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the marriage leave:

 

• The employee must be a UAE national.

• The spouse must also be a UAE citizen.

• The marriage contract must be officially certified by the relevant UAE authority and dated after December 31, 2024.

• The employee must have successfully completed the probationary period, as per human resources regulations applicable to their employer.

• A copy of the marriage contract is required only once, at the time of application for the leave.

 

Combining Leave and Extensions

Employees are allowed to combine their marriage leave with any other eligible leave, as per their organization’s HR policies. In cases of valid, documented reasons and with approval from the direct supervisor, part or all of the marriage leave may be carried over to the following year.

 

If an employee is called to perform national or reserve service during their approved marriage leave, the unused portion will be deferred and must be utilized within one year of their return to duty. Similarly, if the employee is transferred to another government entity before using the leave, the entitlement remains intact.

 

Restrictions and Scope

During the marriage leave period, government entities are not permitted to call up employees for work, except in the case of military personnel where operational necessity demands. In such cases, the remainder of the leave will be deferred accordingly.

 

The policy is applicable to:

 

• UAE national employees working in Dubai government departments

• Those employed within special development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

• UAE national members of the judiciary

• Military personnel, with exceptions for candidates

• Other categories as designated by the Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai

 

The decree clearly states that any existing legal provision conflicting with this new regulation will be considered repealed. It will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will be officially published in the Dubai Official Gazette.

 

Further executive decisions required for the implementation of this decree will be issued by the Chairman of the Executive Council.

 

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