In a move aimed at supporting Emirati families and enhancing work-life balance, 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 granting 10 working days of fully paid marriage leave to UAE national employees working in Dubai’s government sector.
Decree No. (31) of 2025, outlines a range of benefits and conditions under which eligible employees can take marriage leave. The leave is available to Emirati government employees whose spouse is also a UAE national and who have completed their probationary period.
Marriage leave can be used either continuously or intermittently within one year from the date of the certified marriage contract, which must be issued after December 31, 2024, and officially registered with competent authorities. Employees are entitled to their full gross salary during this period, including all allowances and financial benefits outlined in their respective HR frameworks.
Also, employees may combine this leave with other types of leave they are entitled to, and, under exceptional circumstances, with supervisor approval, carry it over to the following year.
The decree also sets guidelines for special cases. If an employee is called up for national or reserve service during the leave, or cannot take their marriage leave due to such obligations, the unused days may be deferred and taken within a year of returning to work. Similarly, if employees are transferred to another government entity before using the leave, they retain their eligibility to take it with the new employer.
The decree strictly prohibits calling employees to work during their marriage leave, with exceptions made only for military personnel if necessary. Any interruptions for official duties will allow for the leave to be extended accordingly.
The ruling applies not only to UAE nationals employed by Dubai government departments, but also to those working in special development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), as well as members of the judiciary and military personnel, excluding candidates.
