Annual Leave in Qatar: 3 Weeks or 4?
3 weeks a year after a year of service, 4 weeks after 5 years, on basic salary. And how unused days are paid out.
By the Hesab Qatar team · Updated October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Most people working in Qatar know they get annual leave, but fewer know it goes up after five years, or how it's valued if they haven't taken it before they leave the job.
How many days? (Article 79)
- After one year of service: 21 paid days (3 weeks) a year.
- After 5 years of service: 28 days (4 weeks).
- It's paid on your basic salary.
| Years of service | Annual leave (days) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 21 |
| 3 | 21 |
| 5 | 28 |
| 8 | 28 |
What unused days are worth
When your employment ends, the days you didn't take are paid out. On QAR 9,000 basic, a day is worth QAR 300, so 10 days is QAR 3,000 and 20 days is QAR 6,000.
Worth knowing
- Your employer sets the timing of your leave, and it can be split if you both agree.
- Annual leave is separate from sick leave and official holidays.
- If your contract gives more than the legal minimum, the contract applies.