Working hours in UAE private sector companies are capped at eight a day or 48 a week. Overtime is allowed up to two hours a day. It is paid at the basic hourly wage plus at least 25%. Employers must also give breaks, a weekly rest day, and shorter hours during Ramadan.
These rules come from Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which covers most private sector employers. DIFC and ADGM run their own employment laws. The MOHRE worker rights guidance summarises the same limits for workers.
This guide explains each limit and shows how overtime is calculated. It also lists what employers should check before they set a schedule.
Legal Working Hours in UAE: The Limits at a Glance
Working hours: UAE labour law sets a few hard limits. Most schedule disputes trace back to one of them. The table below summarises them.
| Rule | Legal Limit |
| Normal working hours | 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week |
| Breaks | No more than 5 consecutive hours without a break |
| Total break time | At least 1 hour, not counted as working time |
| Weekly rest | At least one paid rest day |
| Overtime | Up to 2 hours a day |
| Total hours cap | 144 hours in any 3-week period |
| Ramadan | Normal hours reduced by 2 hours a day |
| Commuting | Not counted as working time |
The full text is in Articles 17 to 21 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Executive regulations set the details for shift work and some job categories.
Maximum Working Hours UAE Employers Can Schedule
The maximum working hours UAE law allows depends on how you count them. The normal limit is eight hours a day or 48 a week. Overtime sits on top, but the 144-hour cap per three weeks limits the total.
This cap matters most for six-day weeks. A 48-hour week uses all 144 hours over three weeks, leaving no room for overtime. A five-day, 40-hour week totals 120 hours in three weeks. Up to 24 overtime hours then fit inside the cap.
Check your own schedule against both limits:
- Add the normal hours for three weeks.
- Subtract the result from 144.
- The remainder is the most overtime the law allows in that period.
- Confirm that no single day goes beyond two overtime hours.
UAE Labour Law Working Hours: Breaks, Rest, and Ramadan
UAE labour law working hours include rules on breaks and rest, not only daily totals. Employers who plan the day around production often miss these.
How the break rule works
A worker cannot work more than five hours in a row without a break. Total breaks must reach at least one hour per day. Breaks do not count as working time. An eight-hour day with a one-hour break needs a nine-hour presence.
Weekly rest and official holidays
Workers receive at least one paid rest day each week. They cannot be asked to work more than two consecutive rest days, except day labourers. Work on a rest day or official holiday earns a substitute rest day. Alternatively, they must pay that day’s pay plus at least 50%.
Ramadan hours
MOHRE states that normal working time falls by two hours a day in Ramadan. An eight-hour day becomes six. Employers should publish the revised timetable before the month begins.
Midday break for outdoor work
From 15 June to 15 September, work under direct sunlight is banned between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm. Employers must provide shade, cooling, water, and first aid. Limited exemptions cover work such as asphalt laying and emergency repairs. See the MOHRE midday break announcement for the scheme.
UAE Overtime Rules: What the Law Requires
UAE overtime rules set pay rates by when the extra hours fall. All premiums apply to the basic wage, not to total salary with allowances.
| Situation | Minimum Pay |
| Overtime on a normal working day | Basic hourly wage plus at least 25% |
| Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am | Basic hourly wage plus at least 50% |
| Work on a contractual rest day | Substitute rest day, or day’s pay plus at least 50% |
| Work on an official holiday | Substitute rest day, or day’s pay plus at least 50% |
The night rate does not apply to shift workers. Overtime is capped at two hours a day unless the executive regulations set other conditions.
UAE Labour Law Overtime: A Worked Example
UAE labour law overtime is easy to calculate once you fix the hourly rate. A common method divides the monthly basic wage by 30 days and then by 8 hours. Confirm the method in your contract or company policy.
Take an employee with a basic wage of AED 6,000 a month. Total pay with allowances is AED 9,000.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
| Daily basic wage | 6,000 divided by 30 | AED 200 |
| Hourly basic wage | 200 divided by 8 | AED 25 |
| Normal day overtime rate | 25 plus 25% | AED 31.25 |
| Night overtime rate (10 pm to 4 am) | 25 plus 50% | AED 37.50 |
| Two hours of normal overtime | 31.25 times 2 | AED 62.50 |
Suppose the employee works two extra hours on each of 22 working days. The monthly overtime cost is AED 1,375. The allowances do not change this figure, because the premium applies to basic wage only.
UAE Working Hours and Overtime for Special Groups
UAE working hours and overtime rules change for some groups. Check these before you apply the standard schedule.
- Shift workers: hours follow the executive regulations, and the night rate does not apply.
- Juveniles aged 15 to 18: no more than six hours a day and four hours in a row. They cannot work overtime, on rest days, or official holidays.
- Remote workers: the employer may set specific working hours.
- Flexible and part-time workers: hours follow the contract and workload, within the legal caps.
- Exempt categories: the executive regulations decide which categories fall outside these provisions.
Employer Checklist: Staying Within the Law
Use this list before you publish a schedule or approve overtime.
- Normal hours do not exceed eight a day or 48 a week
- Breaks total at least one hour, and no stretch passes five hours
- Each worker receives at least one paid weekly rest day
- Overtime stays within two hours a day and the 144-hour cap
- Overtime pay uses basic wage plus the correct premium
- Ramadan and midday break timetables are issued in advance
- Overtime and rest day work are recorded for every worker
When Overtime Signals a Hiring Gap
Regular overtime signals a staffing gap, not just a pay cost. A team that needs two extra hours every day lacks capacity. The premium, burnout, and error risk all rise. Our guide on the true cost of a bad hire shows how these costs build.
| Option | Best For | Main Cost Driver |
| Overtime | Short, one-off peaks | 25% to 50% premiums |
| Temporary staff | Seasonal or project peaks | Agency bill rate |
| Permanent hire | Ongoing capacity gaps | Salary plus visa costs |
Our temporary staffing service covers peaks without adding permanent headcount. For lasting gaps, our permanent recruitment service applies. Caliberly shares pre-vetted profiles with salary, visa status, and notice period confirmed, and charges no upfront retainer. Our Abu Dhabi salary guide helps you set the basic wage that overtime builds on. To discuss a role, get in touch with Caliberly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an employer require overtime beyond two hours a day?
No. The law caps overtime at two hours a day unless the executive regulations set other conditions. The 144-hour limit per three weeks always applies on top of that.
Does commuting time count as working time?
No. Time spent travelling between home and work is not counted, except for categories named in the executive regulations.
Is overtime paid on basic salary or total salary?
The law links the premium to the basic wage. Allowances such as housing or transport are not included in the calculation. Your contract may offer a higher rate, which then applies.
How many hours can a 16-year-old work?
Juveniles aged 15 to 18 may work no more than six hours a day. They cannot work more than four hours in a row. They cannot work overtime, on rest days, or on official holidays.
Do these rules apply in DIFC and ADGM?
No. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws, so their limits can differ. Companies in other free zones usually follow the federal law. Confirm your licence type before you set schedules.
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