Qatar Labour Law provides comprehensive leave entitlements for all employees in the private sector. Understanding your rights — annual leave, sick leave, and encashment — helps you plan time off and ensure you receive what you're legally entitled to.
Qatar Annual Leave Entitlement 2026
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Leave | 30 calendar days per year | After 1 year of service |
| Sick Leave (Full Pay) | 15 days per year | Medical certificate required |
| Sick Leave (Half Pay) | 15 days per year | After full pay exhausted |
| Sick Leave (No Pay) | 15 days per year | Extended illness |
| Maternity Leave | 50 days full pay | All female employees |
| Paternity Leave | 5 days | Within 6 months of birth |
| Hajj Leave | Once during service | Muslim employees only |
Annual Leave Accrual
Annual leave accrues at 2.5 days per month of service. You are eligible to take leave after completing your first year, though many employers allow pro-rated leave after 6 months. Leave days are calendar days — weekends and public holidays falling within your leave period count as leave days.
Leave Encashment in Qatar
Leave Encashment = (Basic Salary + Housing Allowance) ÷ 30 × Unused Leave Days
Example: Basic QAR 5,000 + Housing QAR 1,500 = QAR 6,500/month. 15 unused days: QAR 6,500÷30 × 15 = QAR 3,250
Public Holidays in Qatar 2026
Qatar has 9 official public holidays: National Day (Dec 18), Eid Al Fitr (3 days), Eid Al Adha (3 days), and the Prophet's Birthday (1 day). These are in addition to your annual leave entitlement. Use our Qatar Leave Calculator for exact calculations.