Gratuity After Resignation in UAE

Do you get gratuity if you resign? Under the current UAE Labour Law, resignation after the minimum service period generally entitles you to gratuity.

UAE Gratuity Calculator

Free · Instant · Based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021

Current Rule: Gratuity on Resignation

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the current UAE Labour Law), an employee who resigns and has completed at least one year of continuous eligible service is generally entitled to end-of-service gratuity at the standard calculation rates.

Short answer: Yes — if you resign after completing at least 1 year of continuous service, you are generally entitled to gratuity calculated at the standard rate (21 days/year for the first 5 years, 30 days/year beyond 5 years).

The Old Rule (Historical — No Longer Universal)

⚠ Historical / Legacy — Not Current Universal Law

Under the previous UAE Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980), employees with "unlimited contracts" who resigned were subject to reduced gratuity:

1 to 3 years service: 1/3 of the calculated gratuity
3 to 5 years service: 2/3 of the calculated gratuity
Over 5 years service: full calculated gratuity

These specific rates no longer apply as a universal rule under the current general framework. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 removed the old limited/unlimited contract distinction for the general private sector.

If your employment started before February 2022 and you are assessing a complex transitional situation, consult a UAE employment lawyer.

Resignation: Step-by-Step

Confirm minimum service: You must have completed at least 1 full year of continuous eligible service.
Serve your notice period as required under your contract (typically 30–90 days under current law).
Request final settlement in writing from your employer, including gratuity, accrued leave, and unpaid salary.
Calculate your estimate using our calculator above to verify the amount.
If payment is withheld, file a complaint with MOHRE via mohre.gov.ae or call 800 60.

Important Caveats

If you are enrolled in the End-of-Service Savings Scheme, your EOSB is handled differently.
Free-zone workers may have different rules — check your contract and applicable regime.
Domestic workers follow a separate framework.
Your employment contract must be reviewed for any specific provisions.

⚠ Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate only, based on the general UAE private-sector framework under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. It does not constitute legal advice. Individual entitlements may differ based on employment contract, applicable free-zone rules, special work models, unpaid absences, and other factors. Always verify your specific entitlement with your employer, MOHRE, or a qualified UAE employment lawyer.
Independence: Independent calculator — not affiliated with MOHRE, the UAE Government, Dubai Development Authority, or any government entity.

Official Sources

GovUAE Government Portal — u.ae MOHREMinistry of Human Resources — mohre.gov.ae

LawFederal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 — Article 51

Last reviewed: 2025-01-15 • Rule version: 2021-DL33 • Independent calculator — not affiliated with MOHRE, the UAE Government, Dubai Development Authority, or any government entity.

Resignation Gratuity FAQs

Do I get gratuity if I resign?

Under the current UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), employees who resign and have completed at least one year of continuous service are generally entitled to end-of-service gratuity. The old framework that applied reduced gratuity for resignation (1/3 or 2/3 of entitlement depending on years served) applied under the previous law to unlimited contracts. Verify your contract and circumstances with MOHRE for your specific situation.

Will I get gratuity if I resign after 5 years?

Yes. Under the current UAE Labour Law framework, if you resign after completing at least one year of service, you are generally entitled to gratuity. After 5 years, the rate for service beyond 5 years increases to 30 days per year. The old reduced-resignation-gratuity rules applied under the previous law. Use our calculator to estimate your entitlement.

Can I get gratuity if I resign after 5 years?

Yes. Completing more than 5 years of service and then resigning generally entitles you to full gratuity under the current UAE framework: 21 days per year for the first 5 years and 30 days per year for service beyond 5 years. Verify your specific contract and circumstances with MOHRE.

What happens to gratuity after resignation?

If you resign after at least one year of service, you are generally entitled to your calculated gratuity under the current framework. Your employer is required to settle your final entitlements within the timeframe prescribed by law. If payment is delayed or withheld, you can file a complaint with MOHRE.