End-of-service gratuity in the UAE is calculated at 21 days of basic wage for each of the first five years of service and 30 days for each additional year, under Article 51 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. You generally qualify after one year of continuous service. Enter your details in the gratuity calculator UAE below to estimate your entitlement.
Estimate only, based on the standard formula under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (21 days' basic salary per year for the first five years, 30 days per year thereafter, capped at two years' basic salary; a minimum of one year of continuous service is required). Your actual entitlement may vary depending on contract terms and individual circumstances — this is not legal advice.
A UAE gratuity calculator 2026 estimates your end-of-service gratuity in the UAE using your basic wage and eligible service period. Under Article 51 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, eligible foreign full-time workers generally receive 21 days of basic wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for each additional year.
| Key figure | UAE gratuity rule |
|---|---|
| Qualifying period | 1 year of continuous service |
| First 5 years | 21 days of basic wage per year |
| After 5 years | 30 days of basic wage per additional year |
| Calculation basis | Basic wage |
| Unpaid absence | Excluded from service period |
| Maximum gratuity | 2 years' wage |
| Payment after end of service | Within 14 days |
Gratuity is calculated using your basic wage, not your gross or total salary package. This is one of the most common reasons gratuity calculations are disputed.
For example, if your AED 10,000 monthly salary consists of:
The gratuity calculation uses the AED 6,000 basic wage, rather than the AED 10,000 gross salary.
At 21 days per year, that means AED 4,200 for each of the first five years, rather than AED 7,000 if the gross salary were incorrectly used.
Your employment contract and salary records should therefore be checked before relying on an employer's calculation.
The basic calculation is:
Daily basic wage = Last basic wage ÷ 30
For the first five years:
Daily basic wage × 21 × years of service
For service beyond five years:
Daily basic wage × 30 × additional years of service
For example, with a basic wage of AED 6,000 and two years of eligible service:
AED 6,000 ÷ 30 × 21 × 2 = AED 8,400
A gratuity calculator applies these figures to the employment information you enter to provide an estimate.
Yes. Article 51(6) provides that end-of-service gratuity cannot exceed the equivalent of two years' wage. The cap is unlikely to affect shorter service periods because the standard calculation reaches two years' wage only after roughly 25.5 years of service.
The amount shown on a UAE gratuity calculator is only as accurate as the information used. Disputes often arise when the wrong basic wage is entered, the service period is calculated incorrectly, or the employer's final settlement does not match the employee's records. Almajd Justice reviews the figures and the underlying documents to identify where the calculation may differ from the applicable law.
Gratuity is calculated using the worker's basic wage, so using the gross salary or including allowances can produce a different figure. We can review your employment contract, salary records and final settlement to determine whether the correct basic wage was used.
The length of eligible service directly affects the gratuity amount. Unpaid absence is excluded from the service period under Article 51(4) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. We can review your employment dates and relevant leave records when the service period is disputed.
If your employer has not paid your end-of-service gratuity or the amount is lower than expected, the issue may require more than checking a calculator. We review the calculation against your employment records and explain whether there appears to be a shortfall.
Gratuity is only one part of an employee's final settlement. If you believe the settlement does not reflect your outstanding employment entitlements, we can review the relevant figures and documents and explain the position under UAE Labour Law.
Certain amounts may be deducted from end-of-service entitlements where permitted by law or a court judgment. If a deduction has been made from your settlement and you are unsure whether it is lawful, we can review the basis for that deduction. Article 51(7) addresses deductions from gratuity.
Resignation and termination can raise different questions about your final settlement, but the basic gratuity calculation for an eligible foreign full-time worker remains tied to the applicable service period and basic wage under Article 51. We can review the circumstances of your departure and the calculation provided by your employer.
Have your calculation and final settlement reviewed against your employment records.
If your gratuity calculation does not match your employment records, the first step is to establish where the difference comes from. Almajd Justice follows a clear three-stage process:
You explain your employment history, salary structure and the issue with your gratuity or final settlement. We review the key information and documents relevant to your matter.
We compare the calculation with your employment records and the applicable UAE Labour Law. This helps identify issues such as an incorrect basic wage, service period, unpaid leave or an improper deduction.
If further action is appropriate, we explain the available route and what filing or representation would involve. You can then decide whether to proceed.
To review your gratuity position properly, bring the documents that establish your salary, service period and final settlement. These may include:
You do not need to have every document before your consultation. If something important is missing, we can identify what may be needed during the assessment.
Your gratuity is not only a calculation issue. There are also deadlines that can affect when and how you pursue an unpaid or disputed entitlement.
Under Article 53 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer must pay the worker's wages and other entitlements within 14 days from the end of the contract, subject to the applicable rules.
If you dispute an employment entitlement, Article 54 provides the process for raising an individual labour dispute with the Ministry. Depending on the claim and circumstances, the Ministry may resolve the dispute or refer it to the competent court.
A gratuity calculation should leave you with a clear answer, not another set of legal questions. Almajd Justice keeps the process straightforward, so you understand the figures, the applicable law and your options before deciding what to do next.
Know the cost of your consultation before you proceed. Our fixed-fee approach gives you a clear starting point for discussing your gratuity matter.
A consultation does not commit you to further legal services. We explain your position first, so you can make an informed decision about what comes next.
Discuss your matter in Arabic or English. Clear legal advice starts with being able to explain your situation and understand the response.
We first understand your employment circumstances and review the relevant documents. We then assess your gratuity and legal position before explaining the available options in clear, practical terms.
Still unsure about your gratuity? Here are some of the questions employees commonly have about calculating and checking end-of-service payments in the UAE.
