Sheikh Mohammed grants 10-day marriage leave for employees

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a decree granting 10 working days of paid marriage leave to Emirati government employees.

Decree No. (31) of 2025 applies to UAE citizens working in Dubai government departments, judicial authorities, the national military and organisations in special development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Other groups may also be included later if approved by the Chairman of the Executive Council.

To be eligible, the employee must have completed their probation period, be married to a UAE citizen and provide a certified marriage contract dated after December 31, 2024.

Employees can use the marriage leave within one year from the date of their marriage. The leave can be taken all at once or in separate parts, and can also be combined with other types of leave. If an employee cannot use the leave because of national or reserve service, the unused days can be saved and used within one year after returning to work.

Employees cannot be called back to work during marriage leave, unless they are in the military and needed for duty. In that case, any remaining leave will be rescheduled. If an employee transfers to another government department, they will keep any unused marriage leave.

محمد بن راشد يصدر مرسوماً بشأن إجازة الزواج لموظفي حكومة دبي من مواطني الدولة.https://t.co/OtBIDGs1zC pic.twitter.com/YWN8r2W8PA

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 16, 2025