Saudi labour law for vacation sets out clear regulations to help employees enjoy their entitled time off while ensuring business needs are met. It covers different types of leave, including public holidays, maternity leave, sick leave, and compassionate leave.
The law also explains how to submit leave requests, carry over unused vacation, and receive compensation when leave cannot be taken. Understanding these rules helps both employers and employees protect rights, plan effectively, and maintain a balanced work environment.
المحتويات
What Are The Types of Saudi Labour Law for Vacation?
The Saudi labour law for vacation grants employees various types of leave that balance work requirements with personal and health needs, helping them rest, care for family, and recover from illness.
By following the Saudi labour law for vacation, employees enjoy fair benefits while employers maintain smooth workflow and legal compliance.
1. Public Holidays and National Leave
Employees are entitled to paid leave during official public and national holidays, including:
- Saudi National Day.
- Eid Al-Fitr: Four days of paid leave.
- Eid Al-Adha: Four days of paid leave.
During these periods, most public and private institutions close, and employees receive full paid time off according to the Saudi labour law for vacation.
2. Maternity Leave and Family Care Leave
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 10 weeks of fully paid leave, which can start up to four weeks before the expected delivery date.
- Family Care Leave: Granted to employees who need to care for an immediate family member facing a serious medical condition.
Read also: Terminologies in Saudi Labor Law Amendments 2025
3. Sick Leave and Marriage Leave
- Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to:
- 30 days with full pay.
- 60 days with half pay.
- 30 days unpaid.
This ensures financial protection during illness.
- Marriage Leave: Employees can take five days of paid leave to support them during important personal and family occasions.
4. Hajj Leave and Exam Leave
- Hajj Leave: Muslim employees with at least two years of service are entitled to 10 days of fully paid leave to perform Hajj once during their employment.
- Exam Leave: Employees enrolled in accredited educational institutions may take up to 10 days of paid leave annually to attend exams.
5. Compassionate leave
Employees may request bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member, as well as other forms of emergency leave for urgent situations such as serious accidents. These leaves may be paid or unpaid, depending on the company’s policy.
Check out: Learn Your Legal Rights Under the Saudi Arabia Labour Salary Law
What Are The Steps for Submitting a Leave Request?
- Submitting the Request
- The employee must submit the leave request in writing or through the company’s internal electronic system (if available).
- The request should clearly include the start date, duration, and type of leave.
- Reviewing the Request
- The employer will review the request to ensure it aligns with work needs and the company’s internal policies and regulations.
- Approval or Rejection
- The employer has the authority to approve or reject the request based on business requirements.
- The employee must be informed of the approval or rejection decision within a reasonable time before the requested leave date.
How to Carry Over and Compensate Annual Leave in the Saudi Labor Law?
The Saudi Labor Law allows employees to carry over unused annual leave or receive monetary compensation under certain conditions, ensuring employee rights are protected while meeting business needs. Below are the main rules and procedures:
1. Carrying Over Annual Leave
- Conditions and Requirements
- Employees may carry over up to half of their annual leave balance to the following year with the employer’s approval.
- The carried-over leave must be used within the next year; otherwise, it will be forfeited.
- Carry-Over Procedure
- The employee must submit a written request to carry over the leave.
- The employer reviews and approves the request based on operational and business requirements.
2. Compensation for Unused Leave
- Right to Monetary Compensation
- If the employee cannot take their annual leave due to work demands, they are entitled to monetary compensation for the unused days.
- Compensation Calculation
- The compensation is calculated based on the employee’s daily wage multiplied by the number of unused leave days.
- Payment Procedure
- Compensation must be paid at the end of the employment relationship or during employment if agreed upon by the employer.
3. Employer Responsibilities
- Legal Compliance
- Employers must ensure that all processes related to carrying over and compensating leave comply with the Saudi Labor Law.
- Record Keeping
- All actions related to leave carry-over and compensation must be documented and kept for future reference.
Learn about: Minimum Salary in Saudi Arabia Per Month 2025
Conclusion:
Saudi labour law for vacation provides fair and transparent rules that benefit both employers and employees. For expert guidance and assistance in applying these regulations correctly, you can rely on Etqan law Firm to support compliance and ensure smooth workforce management.
The Etqan Al Mutamayza Law Firm can provide the necessary support. You can contact their team
through the following mobile numbers: 056113776, 0541110440, 504315333
Alternatively, you can visit our branches:
- Jeddah: Al-Aziziyah District–Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia)
- Riyadh: King Abdulaziz Street – In front of Kingdom
- Dammam: Al-Ashri’a Street, Al-Badeea, Dammam 32415.
FAQ:
What is the minimum amount of vacation time employees are entitled to?
Employees in Saudi Arabia are entitled to a minimum of 21 days of paid annual leave after completing one year of service, which increases to 30 days after five consecutive years with the same employer.
How many vacation days are there in KSA?
The Saudi Labor Law provides at least 21 paid vacation days per year, rising to 30 days after five continuous years with the same employer.
What is Article 42 of the Saudi labor law?
Article 42 outlines the conditions for referring a deceased or incapacitated contributor to the competent medical committee to determine eligibility for a pension before the statutory retirement age, after the employment relationship ends. It also sets rules for calculating service periods and pension amounts and requires periodic medical checkups until the retirement age is reached.
What is the Saudi labor law on absences?
Unexcused absence may lead to termination. The employer may end the contract if the employee is absent more than 15 consecutive days or 30 non-consecutive days in one contractual year without a valid reason, provided the employee is notified in writing after exceeding 10 consecutive days or 20 non-consecutive days.