What is leave salary in Qatar?
Leave salary is the pay you receive for the days you are on annual leave. In Qatar, every worker covered by the Labour Law has a right to paid annual leave once they complete a year with the same employer. During that leave you do not work, but you still get paid. The money paid for those days is what most people call "leave salary" or "vacation pay".
There is a second payment that people often mix up with it. When your job ends and you still have leave days you never took, the employer must pay you cash for those days. This is called leave encashment, payment in lieu of leave, or the cash value of unused leave. It is part of your final settlement, together with your gratuity and any unpaid salary.
This page covers both payments. The calculator works out three numbers for you:
- Your annual entitlement – 21 or 28 days a year, depending on your service.
- Your leave salary – what one full year of annual leave is worth in riyals.
- Your encashment – the cash value of the days you have earned but not used.
Your end of service gratuity is a separate amount with its own formula. You can work it out with our Qatar Gratuity Calculator.
Who the Qatar annual leave rules cover
The rules on this page come from Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. That law covers most workers in Qatar's private sector, both expats and Qatari nationals, who work under an employment contract with a company. This includes office staff, engineers, drivers employed by companies, retail and hotel staff, construction workers, nurses in private clinics and many others.
Some groups are outside this law or have their own rules:
- Domestic workers such as housemaids, family drivers, cooks and nannies fall under Law No. 15 of 2017 on Domestic Workers. That law has its own leave rules.
- Government employees are generally covered by the civil human resources law, not the Labour Law.
- Some special groups, such as members of the armed forces and police, are excluded from the Labour Law.
- Part-time and freelance workers: Law No. 9 of 2026 put these groups outside the general scope of the Labour Law, with rules to come from later decisions. If you work part-time, check what applies to you.
If you are not sure which law applies, look at your contract. A contract registered with the Ministry of Labour under Law No. 14 of 2004 means this calculator is a good fit.
The law: Articles 79, 80 and 81 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004
Three articles in the Labour Law deal with annual leave. Here is what each one says, in plain words.
Article 79 – how much leave you get
- A worker who completes one continuous year with the employer has a right to annual leave paid at the basic wage.
- The leave is at least three weeks a year if service is less than five years.
- The leave is at least four weeks a year once service reaches five years.
- For a part of a year, the worker earns leave in proportion to the time worked.
The law speaks in weeks. Three weeks is 21 calendar days and four weeks is 28 calendar days. These are minimums. Many contracts in Qatar give 30 days a year or more, and that is perfectly legal.
Article 80 – when the leave is taken
- The employer sets the dates of the leave, based on the needs of the work.
- With the worker's agreement, the leave may be split, but into no more than two parts.
- At the worker's written request, the employer may postpone up to half of the year's leave to the next year.
Article 81 – no waiver, and cash at the end
- A worker cannot give up the right to annual leave. Any agreement that says otherwise is void.
- If the contract ends for any reason before the worker takes the leave, the worker gets cash equal to the basic wage for the leave days owed.
The words "for any reason" matter. It does not matter whether you resign, your employer ends your contract, or a fixed-term contract simply expires. Unused leave that you have earned must be paid.
Did the 2020 or 2026 changes affect annual leave?
Qatar has updated its labour rules several times. In 2020 it changed the rules on notice periods and on changing employers, and set a national minimum wage. In June 2026, Law No. 9 of 2026 amended parts of Law No. 14 of 2004, covering topics such as non-compete clauses, strikes, labour disputes and part-time work. The summaries of the 2026 law that we reviewed do not mention any change to Articles 79 to 81. Some details of the 2026 law still depend on decisions from the Ministry of Labour, so check for updates before you rely on any figure.
How to calculate leave salary in Qatar: the formula
You can do the sums by hand in four steps. The calculator follows the same method.
Step 1: Find your daily basic wage
(alternative: Basic monthly salary × 12 ÷ 365)
The law does not say which divisor to use. Dividing by 30 is the most common method in Qatar and gives a slightly higher figure. Ask your HR team which one your company uses.
Step 2: Find your annual entitlement
5 years or more: 28 days a year
Step 3: Leave salary for one year's leave
Step 4: Unused leave at the end of service
Unused days = Days earned − Days already taken
Encashment = Unused days × Daily wage
In the "years" figure, part years count. For example, 3 years and 6 months is 3.5 years. The calculator treats each extra month as one twelfth of a year.
A note on the first five years. The law moves you to four weeks once your service reaches five years. Our calculator gives 21 days for each of the first five years and 28 days for each year after that. If your employer applies the 28-day rate in a slightly different way, for example from the start of the leave year in which you reach five years, the result may differ by a few days.
Worked examples
Each example uses the same method as the calculator. Type the figures into the tool above and you will get the same results.
Example 1: Three years, some leave already used
Anil works for a trading company in Doha. His basic salary is QAR 6,000. He has worked exactly 3 years and has taken 40 days of annual leave so far. His contract is ending.
- Daily wage: 6,000 ÷ 30 = QAR 200.00
- Annual entitlement: 21 days (under five years)
- Leave salary for one year's leave: 21 × 200 = QAR 4,200.00
- Days earned: 21 × 3 = 63 days
- Unused days: 63 − 40 = 23 days
- Encashment: 23 × 200 = QAR 4,600.00
Example 2: Seven and a half years of service
Grace is a nurse at a private clinic. Her basic salary is QAR 9,000. She has 7 years and 6 months of service and has taken 150 days of leave in total.
- Daily wage: 9,000 ÷ 30 = QAR 300.00
- Annual entitlement now: 28 days (five years or more)
- Leave salary for one year's leave: 28 × 300 = QAR 8,400.00
- Days earned: 21 × 5 + 28 × 2.5 = 105 + 70 = 175 days
- Unused days: 175 − 150 = 25 days
- Encashment: 25 × 300 = QAR 7,500.00
Example 3: Leaving before the first year
Karim joined a restaurant group with a basic salary of QAR 4,500. He leaves after 8 months and has taken no leave.
- Daily wage: 4,500 ÷ 30 = QAR 150.00
- Days earned in proportion: 21 × 8 ÷ 12 = 14 days
- Encashment: 14 × 150 = QAR 2,100.00
Karim had not yet reached the one year needed to take annual leave. Article 79 gives leave for part years in proportion to the time worked, and many employers pay this pro-rata amount at the end. Because the law ties the main right to one year of service, practice in the first year can differ. The calculator shows a warning for this case.
Example 4: Comparing the two daily wage methods
Fatima earns a basic salary of QAR 12,000. She leaves after exactly 2 years with no leave taken, so she has 42 unused days.
- Using ÷ 30: daily wage QAR 400.00, encashment 42 × 400 = QAR 16,800.00
- Using × 12 ÷ 365: daily wage QAR 394.52, encashment = QAR 16,569.86
The gap is QAR 230.14. It is not huge, but it is worth asking which method your employer uses.
Annual leave days by length of service
The table shows the total days earned at different points of service under the legal minimum, and the value at a basic salary of QAR 6,000 (QAR 200 a day), assuming no leave was ever taken.
| Completed service | Leave per year | Total days earned | Value at QAR 200/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 21 days | 10.5 | QAR 2,100 |
| 1 year | 21 days | 21 | QAR 4,200 |
| 2 years | 21 days | 42 | QAR 8,400 |
| 3 years | 21 days | 63 | QAR 12,600 |
| 5 years | 21 days | 105 | QAR 21,000 |
| 6 years | 28 days | 133 | QAR 26,600 |
| 8 years | 28 days | 189 | QAR 37,800 |
| 10 years | 28 days | 245 | QAR 49,000 |
Most people take their leave every year, so their unused balance is much smaller. The table is useful for checking how many days you should have earned in total.
Special cases
Your contract gives more than the minimum
Three and four weeks are floors, not ceilings. If your contract gives 30 days a year, your employer must honour that. In that case use the calculator for the daily wage, then multiply by your contract days yourself. For example, 30 days at QAR 200 is QAR 6,000 of leave salary.
Leave paid on full salary
The law uses the basic wage for leave pay and for the cash value of unused leave. Some employers pay the full package, including housing and transport, during leave. That is allowed because it is better for the worker. If your contract or policy says "full salary", use your full monthly pay in the salary box instead of the basic.
Carried forward leave
Under Article 80, you can ask in writing to move up to half of a year's leave into the next year. If you did this, the days still count as earned. Include them in your balance by entering only the days you actually took.
Taking more leave than you earned
If your employer let you take leave in advance, your days taken may be more than your days earned. The calculator then shows a negative balance and zero encashment. Your employer may try to recover the extra days from your final settlement. Ask for a written statement of your leave record.
Unpaid leave
Days of unpaid leave are normally not counted as service. If you took a long unpaid break, reduce your years and months of service before using the calculator.
Public holidays during leave
Article 78 gives separate paid public holidays, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and National Day. When one of these falls inside your annual leave, many employers add the day back to your leave. Practice is not the same everywhere, so check your contract.
Return ticket
Many contracts for expats include an annual or biennial air ticket home. This is a contract benefit, not part of the leave salary formula. Check your contract for the details.
Domestic workers
Housemaids, drivers employed by families and other domestic workers have their own law, Law No. 15 of 2017. It gives them paid annual leave as well, but the rules differ from Law No. 14 of 2004. This calculator is designed for private sector employees under the Labour Law.
Common mistakes when working out leave salary in Qatar
- Using working days instead of calendar weeks. The law counts weeks. Three weeks is 21 calendar days, not 21 working days.
- Forgetting the four-week rule. After five years, the minimum goes up to 28 days. Some workers keep receiving 21 days by mistake.
- Mixing gross and basic salary. The legal minimum is based on basic pay. Using your full package gives a figure the employer may not accept unless your contract says so.
- Ignoring part years. If you leave in the middle of a leave year, you still earn leave for the months you worked.
- Thinking resignation cancels unused leave. Article 81 says unused leave is paid when the contract ends for any reason.
- Agreeing to "sell" leave. You cannot waive your leave during employment. A deal to swap leave for cash every year may not protect you if there is a later dispute.
- Not keeping a leave record. If you do not know how many days you took, you cannot check the final figure.
Practical tips for workers
- Ask HR for your leave balance in writing at least once a year, and keep a copy.
- Check whether your contract gives more than 21 days. Many do.
- Before your fifth work anniversary, ask HR to confirm that your leave will rise to 28 days.
- If you plan to resign, look at your unused leave first. You can either use the days before you leave or claim the cash.
- Compare your final settlement with this tool and our gratuity calculator. Also check any unpaid extra hours with the Qatar Overtime Calculator.
- Moving to another Gulf country? The rules are different. See the UAE Leave Salary Calculator or the Kuwait Leave Salary Calculator.
- Do not sign a "full and final settlement" paper before the money is in your bank account.
How to get official help in Qatar
If your employer will not grant your leave or will not pay what you are owed, follow these steps:
- Write to HR. Send an email that lists your dates of service, your basic salary, the days you took and your own calculation. Ask for a reply by a set date.
- Gather proof. Keep your contract, payslips, Wage Protection System bank transfers, leave approval emails and your QID copy.
- Complain to the Ministry of Labour. Use the Ministry's online complaints service with your QID, call the hotline 16008, or visit a labour relations office. The Ministry will first try to settle the matter.
- Labour Dispute Settlement Committee. If the dispute is not settled, it is referred to a committee that decides workers' claims. Law No. 9 of 2026 added time limits to the settlement stage.
- Workers' Support and Insurance Fund. If a committee rules in your favour and the company cannot pay, this state fund may pay your awarded dues.
Act quickly. Claims can be subject to time limits, and it is easier to collect evidence while you are still employed and still in Qatar.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do I get in Qatar?
Article 79 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 gives at least three weeks (21 days) of paid annual leave a year if you have less than five years of service, and at least four weeks (28 days) once you have five years or more. Your contract can give more, but not less.
Is leave salary in Qatar paid on basic or total salary?
The law links annual leave pay and the cash payment for unused leave to the basic wage. Many contracts and company policies pay the full salary during leave, which is allowed because it is better for the worker. Check your contract.
Do I get paid for unused annual leave when I leave my job in Qatar?
Yes. Article 81 says that if your contract ends for any reason before you take your leave, the employer must pay you cash equal to your basic wage for the leave days you are owed.
Can I take annual leave in my first year in Qatar?
The full right to annual leave starts after one continuous year of service. Before that, the employer may allow early leave, but it is not required to. For part years, leave is earned in proportion to the time worked.
How is the daily rate for leave salary worked out in Qatar?
The law does not set a fixed formula. Most employers divide the monthly basic salary by 30. Some use monthly basic times 12 divided by 365, which gives a slightly lower figure. The calculator lets you choose.
Can I carry forward unused leave to next year in Qatar?
Only in part. At your written request, the employer may postpone up to half of your annual leave to the following year. The rest should be taken in the year it is due.
Can my employer pay me cash instead of letting me take leave?
Article 81 says a worker cannot give up the right to annual leave and any agreement to the contrary is void. Cash in place of leave is only clearly required when the employment ends with leave still unused.
Are public holidays counted as annual leave in Qatar?
Public holidays such as Eid and National Day are a separate paid right under Article 78. Many employers do not deduct them from annual leave when they fall inside a leave period, but practice varies, so check your contract or company policy.
Did Law No. 9 of 2026 change annual leave in Qatar?
The summaries of Law No. 9 of 2026 that we checked describe changes to non-compete clauses, strikes, labour disputes and part-time work. None of them mention a change to the annual leave articles. Confirm the latest position with the Ministry of Labour.
What can I do if my employer refuses to pay my leave salary?
Ask HR in writing first. If that does not work, file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour online or through hotline 16008. Unsettled cases go to the Labour Dispute Settlement Committee.
Disclaimer
This Qatar leave salary calculator gives an estimate for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. Your real entitlement depends on your contract, company policy, your leave records and how the law is applied to your case. Please confirm your figures with your employer or the Qatar Ministry of Labour.
Sources and references
Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (Articles 78, 79, 80 and 81), as amended by Law No. 18 of 2020 and Law No. 9 of 2026; Law No. 15 of 2017 on Domestic Workers. Official bodies: Qatar Ministry of Labour – mol.gov.qa; Al Meezan Qatar Legal Portal (official legislation database) – almeezan.qa.