Salary, leave and deductions

UAE gratuity after five years of service

Traditional federal gratuity changes after the first five service years. The first five years do not get recalculated at the higher band.

Reviewed: 26 July 2026Educational guidance, not legal advice

First five years

The estimate uses 21 days of the last basic wage for each of the first five completed years.

Service after five years

Additional service is calculated at 30 days of the last basic wage per year, with proportional treatment for an eligible partial year.

Last basic wage

The formula uses the last basic wage rather than an average of all historical wages, subject to the applicable framework and facts.

Overall cap

The traditional federal gratuity total is capped at two years' wage. Keep the cap separate from other final-settlement components.

Questions to ask HR or payroll

  1. What is the last basic wage?
  2. How many eligible years fall in each band?
  3. Is the partial year included?
  4. Were unpaid-absence days removed?
  5. Does the two-year wage cap affect the result?

Frequently asked questions

Does the 30-day rate apply to all years after I pass five years?

No. It applies to service after the first five years.

Is gratuity based on my original salary?

Traditional federal gratuity uses the last basic wage, not generally the starting salary.

Does resignation reduce the bands?

The current federal framework does not apply the old resignation reductions merely because the employee resigned.

Official sources used

Rules can change and facts can be disputed. Review the source that applies to your jurisdiction and current circumstances.

UAE GovernmentEnd-of-service benefits for workers in the private sectorMinistry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and amendments