If you employ a maid, nanny, cook or driver, their end of service pay is not worked out the same way as an office employee’s. Domestic worker gratuity in the UAE sits under its own law and pays a different, lower rate – 14 days of pay for each year of service rather than the 21 or 30 days most employees get. This guide explains the rule, who it covers, the cap and a clear worked example. To get the figure directly, use the Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator.
A separate law covers domestic workers
Domestic workers are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, not the main labour law. The term covers a specific list of household roles, including:
- Housemaids and nannies
- Private drivers
- Cooks and household cleaners
- Gardeners and watchmen
- Private tutors and similar in-home roles
If the worker is sponsored to work inside a private home, this law – and this gratuity rate – is the one that applies.
The 14-day rule
A domestic worker who completes at least one full year of continuous service is entitled to an end of service benefit of 14 days of pay for each year of service. The daily wage is the monthly salary divided by 30, and the total benefit is capped at six months’ pay. Because most domestic workers are paid a single agreed salary rather than a basic-plus-allowances package, the calculation usually runs on that whole monthly wage. Food and accommodation provided in the home are benefits in kind and are not added to the salary figure used for gratuity.
A worked example
Take a nanny on AED 2,500 a month. Her daily wage is AED 83.33, so each year of service earns 14 days, or about AED 1,167. Here is how the benefit builds up:
| Years of service | Days earned (14 per year) | Gratuity on AED 2,500 salary (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 14 | 1,167 |
| 2 years | 28 | 2,333 |
| 3 years | 42 | 3,500 |
| 5 years | 70 | 5,833 |
| 10 years | 140 | 11,667 |
How it differs from standard gratuity
The gap is significant. A mainstream private sector employee earns 21 days a year for the first five years and 30 days after, while a domestic worker earns a flat 14 days a year throughout, capped at six months. On the same salary and service, a domestic worker’s benefit is meaningfully smaller. If you want to compare, our guide on how gratuity is calculated in the UAE covers the standard 21/30-day formula, and the UAE Gratuity Calculator handles the mainstream case. The rate also runs on the agreed salary rather than a split package, unlike the situation described in our guide on basic vs gross salary.
When and how it is paid
The benefit is due at the end of the employment relationship, whether the worker resigns or the sponsorship ends. As with any settlement, the employer can offset genuine amounts owed, but the gratuity itself is a legal entitlement once the one-year mark is passed. Any dispute can be raised with MOHRE, which oversees domestic worker contracts through its Tadbeer service centres.
How much gratuity does a domestic worker get in the UAE?
Which workers count as domestic workers?
Is a maid’s gratuity the same as an office worker’s?
Is there a minimum service period for domestic worker gratuity?
Is there a maximum domestic worker gratuity?
Do food and accommodation count towards the gratuity?
Last verified: 19 July 2026. This guide is for information only and is not legal or financial advice. Entitlements depend on the contract and any amounts owed. For disputes, contact MOHRE on 600 590000.
Sources: Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).