UAE Overtime Pay Calculator 2026
— All 4 Rates Covered
Calculate overtime pay for weekday, night shift, Friday, and public holiday work. Based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Articles 19 & 20. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Overtime Pay Calculator
Articles 19 & 20 — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 · All 4 rate tiers covered
Your Details
Basic salary only — used to calculate your hourly rate.
UAE law sets maximum 8 hrs/day (48 hrs/week) for private sector.
Night = 10PM–4AM. Friday = rest day. Select based on when OT was worked.
UAE law caps daily overtime at 2 hours. Max 144 hours/year total.
Results
Overtime Pay
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Fill in your details and click Calculate
Based on UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 19 (overtime) and Article 20 (public holidays). Results are estimates only.
What Is UAE Overtime Pay?
Overtime pay is the additional compensation an employee receives for working beyond their standard daily or weekly working hours. In the UAE private sector, overtime is a legal entitlement governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, specifically Article 19. It is not optional — employers are legally required to compensate employees for every hour worked beyond their contracted schedule. In Arabic, overtime is known as العمل الإضافي.
Standard working hours in the UAE private sector are a maximum of 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, these limits are reduced to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week for Muslim employees. Any hours worked beyond these limits are classified as overtime and must be paid at the applicable premium rate.
Who Is Entitled to Overtime Pay in UAE?
UAE Overtime Rates — All 4 Tiers Explained
UAE law specifies four different overtime rates depending on exactly when the work is performed. This is one of the most misunderstood areas of UAE Labour Law — many employees receive the wrong rate. Here is every tier:
How UAE Overtime Is Calculated — Step by Step
Calculate Your Basic Hourly Rate
Your hourly rate is always based on your basic salary only — housing, transport, and all other allowances are excluded from the overtime formula.
Hourly Rate = Basic Monthly Salary ÷ (Working Days Per Month × Daily Hours)
Apply the Correct Rate Multiplier
Multiply your hourly rate by the applicable multiplier for the type of overtime worked, then multiply by the number of overtime hours.
Overtime Pay = Hourly Rate × Multiplier × Overtime Hours Worked
| When Overtime Was Worked | Rate | Multiplier | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular weekday, normal hours | 125% | × 1.25 | Art. 19(1) |
| Night shift — 10 PM to 4 AM | 150% | × 1.50 | Art. 19(2) |
| Friday / weekly rest day (day off given) | 150% | × 1.50 | Art. 22 |
| Public holiday — compensatory day given | 150% | × 1.50 | Art. 20 |
| Public holiday — no compensatory day given | 200% | × 2.00 | Art. 20 |
Worked Examples — All 4 Overtime Types
Based on: AED 8,000 basic salary · 22 working days/month · 8 hours/day → AED 45.45/hour
UAE Overtime Rules Every Employee Must Know
The 2-Hour Daily Legal Cap
UAE Labour Law limits overtime to a maximum of 2 hours per day under normal circumstances. Employers who require overtime beyond this limit must document a legitimate emergency reason under Article 19(3). Routine use of the emergency exception to bypass the cap is a MOHRE violation and grounds for a formal complaint.
Maximum 144 Hours Per Year
The total annual overtime limit under standard conditions is 144 hours. Hours beyond this need documented emergency justification. Employees can request to review their overtime records from HR at any time — employers are required to maintain accurate records.
Ramadan Working Hours
During Ramadan, standard working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day for Muslim employees. Any work beyond the reduced Ramadan schedule is classified as overtime — the same rate multipliers apply. Non-Muslim employees continue under their standard contracted hours unless the employer voluntarily reduces hours.
Compensatory Time Off Requires Written Agreement
An employer may offer compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay, but only with the employee’s written agreement. Employers cannot unilaterally substitute time off for overtime pay without consent. If no agreement is in writing, cash payment is mandatory.
Your Contract Defines “Standard” Hours — Not Just the Law
If your contract states 7 hours per day, any work beyond 7 hours is overtime — even if it remains within the 8-hour legal daily maximum. Always check your contract, not just the legal limit, when calculating your overtime entitlement. Contract terms favourable to the employee always take precedence.
UAE Overtime FAQs
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About This Calculator
This calculator was built by PayInsightHub to help UAE employees verify their overtime entitlements instantly. The rates and rules are based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Articles 19 and 20, as issued by MOHRE. Results are estimates only. For formal disputes or payroll queries, consult your HR department or a qualified legal adviser in the UAE.