Saudi Arabia’s rapidly diversifying economy, driven by Vision 2030 reforms, is one of the most attractive destinations for global companies expanding into the Middle East. Industries such as oil & gas, fintech, e-commerce, and renewable energy continue to create strong hiring in Saudi Arabia. However, compliance with Saudi labor law remains a top priority for employers entering this market.
One of the most important aspects of compliance is understanding the leave policy in Saudi Arabia, which balances employee rights, workplace productivity, and religious traditions. These rules are primarily defined by the Saudi Labor Law and are strictly enforced to ensure fair treatment and alignment with Islamic values.
This guide provides global employers, HR managers, and employees with a detailed overview of leave entitlements in Saudi Arabia, including annual leave, maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, public holidays, and special leave types.
Table of Contents
- Adoption Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Earned Leave (Annual Leave) in Saudi Arabia
- Maternity Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Parental Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Paternity Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia
- Sick Leave Policy in Saudi Arabia
- Casual Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Unpaid Leave in Saudi Arabia
- Other Special Leave Types in Saudi Arabia
- Digital Leave Management in Saudi Arabia with Asanify AI
- FAQs on Leave Policy in Saudi Arabia
Adoption Leave in Saudi Arabia
Adoption leave in Saudi Arabia is structured differently compared to Western jurisdictions but aims to protect adoptive families under Sharia principles. When employees adopt or become legal guardians of a child, they may request leave for caregiving.
- Duration: Employees can typically request up to three days of special leave for child adoption or custody-related processes.
- Special cases: If the adopted child has special health needs or a disability, employers may approve additional time off, aligned with compassionate leave policies.
- Employer responsibility: Employers must process adoption-related leave requests fairly, supported by legal documents. Proper payroll processing ensures compliance with Saudi labor standards.
Employers in Saudi Arabia must grant adoption or custody-related leave fairly and without discrimination. Employees are required to submit the official guardianship or adoption documents and inform their employers in advance. This allows companies to manage administrative tasks properly, including payroll adjustments and compliance with Saudi labor regulations.
Earned Leave (Annual Leave) in Saudi Arabia
Annual leave entitlements in Saudi Arabia are set by the Saudi Labor Law.
- Employees are entitled to 21 days of paid annual leave after completing one year of service.
- After five years of continuous service, annual leave increases to 30 days.
- Employers must grant leave within the same year, although schedules can be aligned with operational needs.
- Employees must notify employers at least 30 days in advance before taking leave.
For companies, accurate payroll processing is essential to reflect correct leave pay, as mismanagement can result in compliance penalties or labor disputes.
Suggested Read: EOR Saudi Arabia: A Detailed 2025 Guide
Maternity Leave in Saudi Arabia
Maternity leave in Saudi Arabia protects working mothers and ensures financial security during childbirth.
| Feature | Details |
| Maternity Leave | 10 weeks (70 days), divided into pre- and post-delivery |
| Prenatal Leave | Up to 4 weeks before due date |
| Postnatal Leave | Minimum 6 weeks after delivery |
| Notice Requirement | Employee must notify employer at least 30 days before leave |
| Financial Assistance | Paid by employer; full pay if employee has completed 3 years of service, half pay if less than 3 years |
Employers must maintain job security and ensure Employer of Record Services Saudi Arabia handle statutory requirements efficiently.
Parental Leave in Saudi Arabia
Parental leave is not as flexible as in European countries, but Saudi labor law allows for limited family care leave.
| Type of Parental Leave | Duration | Details |
| Family Care Leave | 3 days | Granted at the birth of a child |
| Extended Care Leave | Subject to employer approval | Can be unpaid or aligned with compassionate leave policies |
While formal parental leave allowances remain limited, Global Contractor Management solutions can help international employers create competitive policies aligned with global standards.
Paternity Leave in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia grants fathers 3 days of paid paternity leave upon the birth of a child.
- Employees must take leave immediately following childbirth.
- The employer covers full pay during this period.
- Fathers may also apply for additional unpaid leave if required.
Employers should plan workforce schedules accordingly, ensuring smooth operations while supporting employees’ family commitments.
Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia follows a unique set of public holidays based on the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
| Holiday | Date (Hijri/ Gregorian) |
| Eid al-Fitr | 4 days (end of Ramadan, movable) |
| Eid al-Adha | 4 days (Dhul-Hijjah, movable) |
| Saudi National Day | 23 September |
| Founding Day | 22 February |
Key Notes:
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, it is moved to the nearest working day.
- Employers must track holiday shifts carefully to ensure correct payroll processing.
Sick Leave Policy in Saudi Arabia
Sick leave entitlements vary by the employee’s service and medical certification.
| Period of Illness | Entitlement |
| First 30 days | Full pay |
| Next 60 days | 75% of pay |
| Next 30 days | Unpaid leave |
Employees must submit a certified medical report to validate absence. Employers must reflect entitlements correctly in payroll and insurance systems.
Casual Leave in Saudi Arabia
Casual leave is available in limited cases such as emergencies, family matters, or urgent personal needs.
- Employees may request 1–2 days of casual leave.
- Employers may grant or reject requests depending on operational requirements.
- Casual leave is generally unpaid unless stated in company policies.
Unpaid Leave in Saudi Arabia
Unpaid leave can be granted in specific circumstances:
- Extended family obligations or emergencies.
- Pilgrimage leave (Hajj leave): Muslim employees with at least 2 years of service are entitled to 10 days unpaid leave once during their employment.
- Study leave or long-term absences subject to employer discretion.
Employers must document unpaid leave properly to avoid disputes.
Other Special Leave Types in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia provides several other statutory and special leave entitlements:
- Marriage Leave: 5 days paid leave.
- Bereavement Leave: 5 days for the death of a spouse or close relative.
- Education Leave: Subject to employer approval, for exams or training.
- Hajj Leave: 10 unpaid days once during employment.
Suggested Read: Labour Laws in Saudi Arabia (2025): A Complete Guide
Digital Leave Management in Saudi Arabia with Asanify AI
Managing leave in Saudi Arabia can be complex due to the interplay of labor laws, religious holidays, and company-specific policies. Manual management often results in payroll errors and compliance risks. Asanify AI simplifies this through automation tailored for global and Saudi workforces.
Here’s how Asanify supports employers:
- Real-time visibility into leave balances for managers and employees.
- Slack and mobile-based approvals, reducing delays in workflows.
- Integrated payroll processing to handle Saudi-specific rules on sick pay, maternity leave, and holiday shifts.
- Audit-ready compliance reports, aligned with Saudi Labor Law.
- Policy automation for complex categories like Hajj leave, maternity, and annual leave, reducing errors.
By partnering with EOR in Saudi Arabia through Asanify, global employers ensure compliance, transparency, and employee satisfaction. This is especially valuable for startups and SMEs using Employer of Record Services Saudi Arabia to expand quickly without establishing a local entity.
FAQs
Employees are entitled to 21 days, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
Female employees receive 10 weeks of maternity leave, with full or partial pay depending on length of service.
Yes, fathers are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave.
They are shifted to the nearest working day to ensure employees benefit.
Yes, full pay for the first 30 days, 75% for the next 60, and unpaid leave afterwards.
Yes, Muslim employees with 2 years of service may take 10 unpaid days once during their employment.
By partnering with Asanify for EOR in Saudi Arabia, which ensures proper Global Contractor Management and accurate payroll processing.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
