Besides annual leave, the Saudi Labor Law gives workers several special leaves: sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, leave for marriage or bereavement, Hajj leave, exam leave and unpaid leave. Several of them were extended by the amendments to the Labor Law approved in 2024, which came into force 180 days after their publication, in early 2025. This guide explains each leave, how it is paid, what documents the employer may ask for and how to react if it is refused.
In short: mothers get 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and fathers 3 days. Marriage gives 5 paid days, and sick leave can last up to 120 days a year, with pay falling in stages.
Summary table
| Leave | Duration | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity | 12 weeks | Full pay |
| Child who is sick or has special needs | 1 month after maternity leave (+1 month optional) | Full pay (extra month unpaid) |
| Breastfeeding hour | 1 hour a day for 24 months | Within working hours |
| Paternity (birth of a child) | 3 days, within 7 days of the birth | Full pay |
| Marriage | 5 days | Full pay |
| Death of a spouse, parent or child | 5 days | Full pay |
| Death of a brother or sister | 3 days | Full pay |
| Iddah (widow, Muslim) | 4 months and 10 days | Full pay |
| Iddah (widow, non-Muslim) | 15 days | Full pay |
| Hajj | 10 to 15 days, once | Full pay |
| Exams | Actual exam days | Paid or unpaid (see below) |
| Sick leave | Up to 120 days a year | Full, then ¾, then unpaid |
| Unpaid leave | By agreement | Unpaid |
These leaves apply equally to Saudi and non-Saudi workers: the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) confirms, for example, that a non-Saudi worker is entitled to the 5 days of marriage leave.
Sick leave
How long and how it is paid
Article 117 gives a worker whose illness is proven, within a single year:
| Period | Pay |
|---|---|
| First 30 days | Full wage |
| Next 60 days | Three quarters of the wage |
| Following 30 days | No pay |
The days count whether the leave is continuous or broken up. The year starts from the date of the first sick leave, not from 1 January.
Example. Your monthly wage is SAR 8,000 (daily wage SAR 266.67, the Labor Law counting a month as 30 days). You are off sick for 45 days in the same year. The first 30 days are paid in full (SAR 8,000), the next 15 days at three quarters: 15 × 266.67 × 0.75 = SAR 3,000. Total: SAR 11,000 for the 45 days.
Proof
Illness must be proven, normally by a medical report or sick note. Give it to your employer quickly and keep a copy.
Protection against dismissal
- Article 82: the employer may not end the contract because of illness before the worker has used up the sick leave above.
- The worker may ask to combine sick leave with annual leave, to extend the paid period.
- Sick leave days are not counted in the probation period, which is extended accordingly.
- When an official holiday falls during sick leave, the HRSD says the overlapping days are paid at full wage.
Maternity leave
12 weeks with full pay
Since the 2025 amendments, Article 151 gives a working woman 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave:
- the six weeks after childbirth are mandatory: the employer may not have her work during that time;
- the other six weeks can be taken as she wishes, starting at the earliest four weeks before the expected date of birth, which is set by a medical certificate from a health authority.
If the birth comes later than expected and less than six weeks remain, the remaining period is unpaid. In all cases, the mother can extend her leave by one month without pay.
Example. The expected date is 1 March. The mother starts her leave on 1 February (4 weeks before) and the baby is born on 1 March. She has used 4 weeks; the 6 mandatory weeks follow, then 2 more paid weeks that she can take straight away or as she arranges with her employer within the rules.
Sick child or child with special needs
If the child is sick or has special needs and requires constant care, the mother is entitled to one more month with full pay after the maternity leave, which she can extend by one month without pay.
Protection and breastfeeding
- A woman may not be dismissed during pregnancy, maternity leave or an illness resulting from either, according to the HRSD.
- The HRSD also mentions a breastfeeding hour: one hour a day for 24 months, organised according to the employer’s internal rules. If there is no nursery at the workplace, the mother can choose to take it at the start or end of her shift.
- A female worker who ends her contract within three months of giving birth keeps her full end-of-service award (Article 87).
Paternity leave
A worker is entitled to three days of paid leave for the birth of a child. Since the 2025 amendments, these days must be taken within seven days of the date of birth. The employer may ask for the birth certificate.
Marriage and bereavement
| Event | Leave |
|---|---|
| Your marriage | 5 days, full pay |
| Death of a spouse | 5 days, full pay |
| Death of a parent or grandparent (ascendant) | 5 days, full pay |
| Death of a child or grandchild (descendant) | 5 days, full pay |
| Death of a brother or sister | 3 days, full pay (since 2025) |
These days are counted from the date of the event. The employer may ask for supporting documents (marriage certificate, death certificate).
Iddah leave for widows
The HRSD awareness guide states that a working woman whose husband dies is entitled to fully paid leave: 4 months and 10 days for a Muslim woman and 15 days for a non-Muslim woman.
Hajj leave
Article 114 gives a paid leave of 10 to 15 days, including the Eid al-Adha holiday, to perform Hajj. The conditions:
- once during your service with the employer;
- you have not performed Hajj before;
- at least two consecutive years of service with the employer.
The employer may set how many workers take this leave each year, according to work needs. Ask early, as places can be limited.
Exam leave
Under Article 115:
| Situation | Leave |
|---|---|
| Employer approved your studies, year not repeated | Paid leave for the actual exam days |
| Employer approved your studies, repeated year | Unpaid leave for the actual exam days |
| Employer did not approve your studies | Taken from annual leave if you have days left, otherwise unpaid |
Ask for the leave at least 15 days in advance. The employer can ask for documents and for proof that you sat the exam; if you did not, the wage for those days can be withheld.
Unpaid leave
With the employer’s agreement, you can take unpaid leave for an agreed period. Beyond 20 days, the contract is considered suspended for the extra period, unless both parties agree otherwise (Article 116).
Job-search leave during notice
When the employer gives notice to end the contract, Article 78 gives the worker a paid day off (or 8 hours) per week to look for another job. The worker chooses the time and tells the employer at least a day ahead. See resignation and notice period.
Working during leave
Article 118 forbids working for another employer while on any leave provided for by the Labor Law. If the employer proves it, it may withhold the wage for the leave or recover the amount already paid.
If a leave is refused
- Make the request in writing with the supporting document.
- Keep the employer’s reply.
- Use your company’s internal grievance procedure.
- If unresolved, file a free amicable settlement request with the Ministry, then go to the labor court through Najiz if no agreement is reached.
Common mistakes
- Using the old figures: maternity leave was 10 weeks before the 2025 amendments; it is now 12 weeks. Paternity leave must now be taken within seven days of the birth.
- Counting the sick-leave year from January: it starts from your first sick leave.
- Not giving the medical report: sick leave must be proven.
- Working elsewhere during leave: Article 118 forbids it and allows the employer to recover the leave pay.
Frequently asked questions
How long is maternity leave in Saudi Arabia?
Twelve weeks with full pay since the 2025 amendments to the Labor Law. The six weeks after childbirth are mandatory; the other six can be taken as the mother wishes, starting from four weeks before the expected date of birth.
Is there paternity leave in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. A worker is entitled to three days of paid leave for the birth of a child, to be taken within seven days of the date of birth.
How is sick leave paid in Saudi Arabia?
Within one year: the first 30 days at full pay, the next 60 days at three quarters of the wage and the following 30 days without pay. The year starts from the first sick leave.
How many days off for a wedding?
Five days of fully paid leave upon marriage. The employer may ask for a supporting document.
Who is entitled to Hajj leave?
A worker with at least two consecutive years of service who has not performed Hajj before. The leave lasts 10 to 15 days including the Eid al-Adha holiday and is granted once during the service.
When can I take the breastfeeding hour?
The Ministry of Human Resources says that if there is no nursery at the workplace, the mother can choose to take the hour at the beginning or at the end of her shift.
Can I be dismissed while on sick leave?
An employer may not end a worker's contract because of illness before the worker has used up the sick leave set by Article 117. The worker can also ask to combine sick leave with annual leave.
Official sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development — Amendments to Labor Law articles: new Articles 113 (marriage, bereavement, paternity) and 151 (12-week maternity leave).
- HRSD — Cabinet approves key amendments to Labor Law articles: entry into force 180 days after publication.
- HRSD — Labor Law (English translation): Articles 78, 82, 87, 114 (Hajj), 115 (exams), 116 (unpaid leave), 117 (sick leave) and 118.
- HRSD — Awareness guide on the rights and duties of employers and workers: summary of leaves, Iddah leave, breastfeeding hour, protection from dismissal, holidays during sick leave, marriage leave for non-Saudis.
- HRSD — Friendly settlement for labor disputes: free amicable settlement before the labor court.
This information is for guidance only and may change. Always check with the relevant authority or its official website before starting a procedure. Spotted an error? Tell us.
