Write a formal demand letter to your employer
Send a written request (email is sufficient) stating the amount owed and requesting payment within 5–7 working days. Keep a copy of all correspondence.
File a complaint with MOHRE
If unpaid after the deadline, file a complaint through mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE app. The process is free and typically fast — you'll be assigned a case number and a mediation appointment within days.
MOHRE mediation
A MOHRE officer will mediate between you and your employer. Most cases are resolved at this stage. If mediation fails, the case is referred to the Labour Court automatically at no cost to you.
Labour Court
The Labour Court handles unresolved disputes. Court fees are minimal for employment cases. Employers found to have withheld gratuity are ordered to pay plus potentially face additional penalties. Most cases are resolved within 2–4 months.
Calculate Your Exact Gratuity
Get your legally accurate UAE end-of-service gratuity figure in under 60 seconds — resignation or dismissal scenarios.
Use the Free Calculator →Practical Tips to Maximise Your Gratuity
- Don't resign just before a major milestone. Crossing the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year thresholds each unlock significantly better entitlements — if you can, time your departure just after these milestones.
- Check your basic salary, not total package. When accepting a new role, negotiate the highest possible basic salary — not just total compensation — to maximise future gratuity.
- Request a salary certificate before leaving. Get an official employer letter showing your basic salary and service dates. This is your key document if you need to dispute the gratuity calculation.
- Don't accept a lump-sum offer less than your legal entitlement. Some employers try to settle quickly for less. Know your number before negotiating.
- Free zones may have their own processes. If you're in a free zone, check whether your complaints go to MOHRE or to the free zone authority (e.g., DIFC Courts for DIFC employees).
Yes, with reductions for short service. Under 1 year: no gratuity. 1–3 years: one-third of full entitlement. 3–5 years: two-thirds. 5+ years: full gratuity. If dismissed (not for gross misconduct), full gratuity applies at any service length.
Gratuity is calculated on basic salary only — not total salary. Housing, transport, and other allowances are excluded. Check your employment contract for the explicit basic salary figure.
UAE law requires payment on or before your last working day. Delays beyond 14 days can be reported to MOHRE. Extended delays result in employer fines and the case can escalate to the Labour Court.
File a free complaint with MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae or MOHRE app). The process is fast — mediation is assigned within days. If mediation fails, the case goes to the Labour Court automatically at no cost to you.
No personal income tax exists in the UAE, so gratuity is received in full. You may owe tax in your home country on foreign-source income — consult a tax advisor in your home country.
UAE gratuity is capped at 24 months' basic salary — i.e., two years' worth — regardless of actual service length. This cap applies even for employees with 20+ years of service.
Gratuity can only be withheld for gross misconduct as defined in Article 44 of the UAE Labour Law — serious offences like fraud, assault, or revealing trade secrets. Minor misconduct or poor performance cannot legally result in gratuity being withheld.
Yes. Most free zones follow the UAE Labour Law for gratuity. DIFC operates the DEWS savings scheme. ADGM has its own employment regulations with equivalent benefits. Always check your specific free zone's framework.
