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Leave types under Saudi Labor Law: annual, sick, maternity, and the full list

A complete table of leave entitlements in Saudi Arabia — annual, sick, maternity, paternity, Hajj, marriage, bereavement, and iddah — with paid-vs-unpaid status and how each is calculated.

4 May 2026 · 7 min read ·2,144 views
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Saudi Labor Law gives workers about a dozen distinct leave types. Knowing which is paid, which counts against the annual balance, and what documentation is required will save HR many disputes.

The full leave table

TypeDurationPayArticle
Annual leave21 days (≥5 years: 30 days)FullArt. 109
Sick leave30 days full + 60 days at 75% + 30 days unpaidTieredArt. 117
Maternity10 weeks (4 before, 6 after birth)Full or half (depends on service)Art. 151
Paternity3 daysFullArt. 113
Hajj10–15 days, once every 5 yearsFullArt. 114
Marriage5 daysFullArt. 113
Bereavement (immediate family)5 daysFullArt. 113
Iddah (widow)4 months and 10 daysFullArt. 160
Exam leaveDays of examFull or unpaid (per agreement)Art. 115
Unpaid leaveBy agreementNoneArt. 116

Sick leave: the three tiers (Article 117)

Within any single "sick year" (the rolling 12 months from the first sick day):

  • Days 1–30: 100% paid.
  • Days 31–90: 75% paid.
  • Days 91–120: Unpaid but the worker remains insured and cannot be terminated.
  • Beyond 120 days: The employer may terminate the contract.

Annual leave: the carry-forward rule

If the worker did not use all their annual leave by year-end, it carries over — but the employer may require it to be taken within the next 12 months. Cashing it out is only allowed at end of service (Article 111).

Maternity nuances

  • The 10 weeks are paid at full wage if the worker has 3+ years of service.
  • 50% wage if she has 1–3 years.
  • An unpaid extension of up to 1 month is available.
  • Termination during pregnancy or maternity is prohibited.

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