Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator UAE | MOHRE 2026
Domestic workers in the UAE receive 14 days of basic wage for each year of service as the standard end-of-service gratuity. Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, amended by Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023, governs domestic worker employment. A housemaid earning AED 2,000 over 4 years receives (2,000 ÷ 30) × 14 × 4 = AED 3,733. Use the gratuity calculator to compute maid, nanny, driver, and cook entitlements instantly.
What Is the Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator?
The domestic worker gratuity calculator computes end-of-service benefits for household employees under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. The calculator applies the 14-day standard rate, which differs from the 21-day private sector formula in UAE Labour Law Article 51.
Domestic workers include housemaids, nannies, private drivers, cooks, gardeners, and private nurses. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) registers all domestic worker contracts and oversees their end-of-service dues.
Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 took effect on December 15, 2022, replacing the earlier Federal Law No. 10 of 2017. The current law sets domestic worker rights and refers the gratuity calculation rules to a Cabinet decision. For private sector calculations, see our UAE gratuity calculation guide.
What Law Governs Domestic Worker Gratuity in the UAE?
Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 governs domestic worker employment, including contracts, working conditions, and end-of-service benefits. Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023 amended several provisions. The law covers every household employee providing personal or family services.
The law guarantees domestic workers a weekly rest day, paid annual leave, sick leave, medical care, and a written contract registered with MOHRE. It places domestic workers under their own framework, separate from the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 that covers private sector employees.
On gratuity, the current law refers the exact calculation method to a Cabinet decision rather than fixing a formula in the statute itself. In practice, MOHRE and the market apply the 14-day rate carried over from the previous law as the working standard. Always confirm the rate written in your MOHRE-registered contract.
How Does Domestic Worker Gratuity Differ from Private Sector?
Domestic worker gratuity uses a 14-day rate, lower than the 21-to-30-day private sector rate. The two groups fall under separate laws with different formulas and timelines.
Domestic Worker vs Private Sector Comparison
| Feature | Domestic Workers | Private Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Framework | Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 |
| Standard Gratuity Rate | 14 days per year | 21 days (years 1-5), 30 days after |
| Minimum Service | 1 year continuous | 1 year continuous |
| Salary Basis | Contract monthly wage | Basic salary only |
| Payment Deadline | 10 days from contract end (Art. 19) | 14 days from last working day (Art. 53) |
| Governing Authority | MOHRE | MOHRE |
The 14-day rate equals two-thirds of the 21-day private sector rate. A contract can specify a higher rate, but it cannot fall below the standard MOHRE applies. Our gratuity calculation formula guide explains the private sector method for comparison.
How to Calculate Domestic Worker Gratuity
Domestic worker gratuity equals 14 days of monthly wage for each completed year of service. The calculation needs three inputs: monthly salary, service years, and the daily wage.
Standard Domestic Worker Formula
Gratuity = (Monthly Salary ÷ 30) × 14 days × Service Years
The formula applies to housemaids, nannies, drivers, cooks, gardeners, and other domestic staff. One year of continuous service is the minimum for eligibility.
Example, housemaid, 3 years service, AED 1,500 monthly:
Daily wage: 1,500 ÷ 30 = AED 50
Gratuity: 50 × 14 × 3 = AED 2,100
Example, private driver, 4 years service, AED 2,500 monthly:
Daily wage: 2,500 ÷ 30 = AED 83.33
Gratuity: 83.33 × 14 × 4 = AED 4,667
Example, nanny, 6 years service, AED 2,000 monthly:
Daily wage: 2,000 ÷ 30 = AED 66.67
Gratuity: 66.67 × 14 × 6 = AED 5,600
The 14-day rate stays the same across all service years. There is no increase to 30 days after 5 years, unlike the private sector formula.
Which Salary Calculates Domestic Worker Gratuity?
Domestic worker gratuity uses the monthly wage stated in the MOHRE-registered contract. Domestic worker contracts usually specify a single all-inclusive wage rather than a basic salary plus separate allowances.
If the wage changed during employment, the calculation uses the last wage the worker received. A wage increase before the contract ends raises the full gratuity, since the final wage sets the rate for every year of service.
Who Qualifies as a Domestic Worker?
Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 defines domestic workers as individuals employed for personal or household services. The Executive Regulations list the covered occupations.
Covered roles include housemaids and cleaners, nannies and childcare workers, private drivers, private cooks, gardeners, private nurses and caregivers, and household security guards. Each role requires a written MOHRE-registered contract and a single-employer work permit.
When Do Domestic Workers Receive Gratuity?
Domestic workers receive gratuity when the contract ends, after at least one year of continuous service. Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 requires the employer to pay all dues within 10 days of the contract end date.
Contract completion: the worker completes the agreed term and receives the full calculated gratuity for the service period.
Employer termination: the employer ends the contract for a reason other than worker misconduct. The worker receives gratuity for completed service.
Worker resignation: the worker who completes one year and follows the notice procedure keeps the gratuity entitlement for completed service.
Contract renewal: renewed service combines for gratuity, or the employer settles at each renewal, depending on the written agreement.
What Reduces or Removes Domestic Worker Gratuity?
Service under one year removes gratuity entitlement entirely. A worker who leaves before completing 12 months of continuous service receives no gratuity.
Serious breaches of the contract or law can also affect entitlement. Examples include abandoning the job, theft, or assault. MOHRE reviews disputed cases and decides entitlement based on the contract and the facts.
Employers may deduct documented loans or advances from the final payment, with written agreement. Deductions outside the written terms are not permitted, and the worker can raise them with MOHRE.
How to Verify Your Domestic Worker Gratuity
Verify gratuity using your MOHRE-registered contract and the calculation formula. Follow four steps.
- Review the contract: confirm the monthly wage and the gratuity rate stated in the MOHRE-registered contract.
- Confirm service duration: count completed years from the contract start to the end date.
- Apply the formula: (Monthly Wage ÷ 30) × 14 days × Service Years.
- Use the calculator: enter your wage and dates into the domestic worker gratuity calculator and compare the result with your employer’s figure.
How Do Domestic Workers File a MOHRE Complaint?
Domestic workers file unpaid-gratuity complaints with MOHRE free of charge. Article 23 of Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 sends unresolved disputes to MOHRE for mediation, then to court if needed.
File a complaint through the MOHRE app, the MOHRE website, or the 800 60 call centre. Provide your contract copy, wage records, and the details of the dispute. MOHRE contacts the employer, reviews the evidence, and mediates a settlement. Unresolved cases proceed to the labour court, whose decision is binding.
What Other End-of-Service Benefits Do Domestic Workers Receive?
Domestic workers receive several benefits beyond gratuity when the contract ends. Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 sets these employer obligations.
- Return air ticket: the employer pays a one-way ticket to the worker’s home country, unless the worker transfers to a new employer.
- Outstanding wages: the employer pays the final wage, including any partial month worked.
- Leave encashment: unused annual leave converts to cash at the last wage. The worker is entitled to 30 days of annual leave per contractual year.
- Personal documents: the employer returns the worker’s passport and personal belongings. Withholding documents is not permitted.
For the full settlement picture across all worker types, see our end-of-service benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gratuity does a domestic worker get in the UAE?
A domestic worker receives 14 days of monthly wage for each year of service. A worker earning AED 2,000 over 4 years receives (2,000 ÷ 30) × 14 × 4 = AED 3,733. One year of continuous service is the minimum for eligibility.
What law covers domestic worker gratuity now?
Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, amended by Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023, covers domestic workers. It replaced the old Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 in December 2022.
Do domestic workers get gratuity if they resign?
A domestic worker who completes one year of service and follows the contractual notice procedure keeps the gratuity for completed service. Leaving before one year removes the entitlement.
When must the employer pay domestic worker gratuity?
Article 19 requires the employer to pay all end-of-service dues within 10 days of the contract end date. Late payment can be reported to MOHRE.
What if a domestic worker dies during employment?
The accrued gratuity and final dues pass to the worker’s legal heirs. The employer also covers the cost of repatriating the worker’s remains to the home country.
Is domestic worker gratuity taxed in the UAE?
No. The UAE applies no personal income tax, so domestic worker gratuity is tax-free. The worker receives the full calculated amount.
Can an employer deduct from domestic worker gratuity?
An employer can deduct documented loans or advances, with written agreement. Deductions outside the written terms are not permitted, and the worker can raise them with MOHRE.
Does a domestic worker get gratuity for a partial year?
The minimum for eligibility is one full year of continuous service. After the first year, completed and partial service is settled per the contract and MOHRE guidance.
Calculate Your Domestic Worker Gratuity
Domestic workers in the UAE receive end-of-service gratuity at 14 days of monthly wage per year of service, under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. The minimum for eligibility is one year of continuous service, and the employer pays within 10 days of the contract end date.
Confirm the rate in your MOHRE-registered contract, then verify the amount with the calculator before accepting any final payment.
Calculate Domestic Worker Gratuity Now →
Legal Reference: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers, amended by Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Notice: This guide explains domestic worker gratuity for informational purposes. The 2022 law refers the exact calculation to a Cabinet decision, and MOHRE applies the 14-day standard in practice. Confirm your contract terms and consult MOHRE for disputes.
