Gratuity for Domestic Workers in UAE: What Families Must Know (2025)

If you’ve ever searched for gratuity for domestic workers in UAE, you’ve likely found more confusion than clarity. Between old laws, new laws, and a lot of differing opinions, many families (and workers) aren’t sure whether gratuity is legally required at the end of a contract.

So at Yaya, we decided to dig into the details and clear things up. Here’s what the current UAE law actually says about gratuity for nannies, maids, and other domestic workers in 2025 — and what we recommend families do anyway.

What Changed: The 2022 Domestic Workers Law

The old law (Federal Law No. 10 of 2017) made things simple: if a domestic worker completed one year of service, they were entitled to 14 days of salary per year as gratuity. No debate.

But then in late 2022, the UAE introduced Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, a brand-new law covering all domestic workers. It replaced the 2017 law entirely. And here’s the twist: the new law doesn’t include any gratuity formula.

Instead, it says that the UAE Cabinet *may issue a system later* to define how gratuity should work. As of today (yes, we double-checked), no such system has been issued.

You can read the official decree on uaelegislation.gov.ae and commentary by HPL Yamalova & Plewka also confirms this.

Is Gratuity Legally Required Right Now?

Let’s put it plainly: as of 2025, there is no new law or official calculation in effect for domestic worker gratuity in the UAE. That includes:

* Nannies
* Housemaids
* Cleaners
* Drivers
* Gardeners
* Cooks

Under the current law, if your worker finishes their contract, you are obligated to pay their final salary, unused leave days, and a ticket home. But gratuity? That’s not required — for now.

Why Not?

• In late 2022, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 was issued, replacing the old 2017 domestic worker law. The earlier law included a clear gratuity entitlement: 14 days’ basic salary per year of service. The new law removed that formula entirely ⁠— without introducing any replacement within its text  

• Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022, which details how the new law is implemented, also omits any gratuity provisions 

• Article 22 leaves the door open for a future gratuity system to be issued by the UAE Cabinet — but as of now, none has been announced.

MOHRE’s Practice Aligns with the Law

• MOHRE’s mobile app and typing-center “Domestic Workers Calculator” does not show a gratuity entitlement unless it is already specified in the employment contract.

• More generally, MOHRE’s FAQ and implementation materials list benefits like salary, leave, and ticket—but do not list gratuity as required for domestic workers  .

What Does This Mean for Families and Nannies in Practice?

For families, a good practice is to be very clear with your domestic worker from the start about what end-of-service benefits you will provide. Since the law is silent on gratuity, managing expectations is key. If you know you’d like to reward your nanny with a bonus at the end of her service, you can mention this (even in the contract, some families put a clause about a “completion bonus” or similar). If you’re not planning on it, ensure the helper understands her package (so she’s not taken by surprise later thinking she’d get something). Clarity and communication go a long way in keeping a healthy working relationship.

For domestic workers, understanding that gratuity isn’t a guaranteed legal right at present means that if you plan your finances, don’t count on a big lump sum by default. If your employer does give you a gratuity, consider it a generous gesture. It’s always okay to politely bring up the topic as you near the end of contract (for example, asking if any end-of-service benefit will be provided), but remember it’s at the employer’s discretion under current rules.

Should You Still Pay Gratuity to Your Nanny or Maid – And Why?

Now to the heart of the question: Should you, as a family, still pay a gratuity to your domestic helper even though it’s not required? This ultimately is a personal decision, but many experienced expat families (myself included) would say yes, if you can afford to, it’s a very kind and ethical thing to do. Here’s why:

• Appreciation and Fairness: Your nanny or maid has likely devoted herself to your household – caring for your kids, keeping your home running smoothly – often for modest pay. An end-of-service gratuity is a tangible way to say “thank you” for her years of hard work. It acknowledges that her service was valued. Remember, most employees in other sectors do get a gratuity by law; just because your helper isn’t legally entitled doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve a reward for long service.

• Maintaining Goodwill: If your domestic worker has been with you a long time, she’s probably like a member of the family. Parting on good terms is important. Offering a gratuity (even a voluntary one) leaves a positive final impression. It shows that you care about her future. This goodwill can be priceless – whether it’s for getting a glowing reference from her to future helpers, or simply the knowledge that you did the right thing by someone who lived in your home and cared for your loved ones.

• Financial Support for the Worker: Many domestic workers in the UAE come from countries where they support large families back home. They might have children’s education to pay for, or dreams of starting a small business when they return home. The lump sum from a gratuity can provide a much-needed financial cushion for them to land on their feet after leaving your employment. For example, a nanny who has worked 5 years at AED 2,500/month might get around AED 5,000 as a gratuity if you follow the old formula – that amount could help her significantly in her home country (perhaps to start a business, buy land, or secure her family’s future).

• Encouraging Loyalty and Trust: Even for families who plan to keep a helper long-term, letting it be known that you intend to pay gratuity or a bonus at the end can actually motivate your domestic worker to stay longer and perform well. It builds trust – she knows you’re not looking to shortchange her, and that loyalty is rewarded. This can reduce turnover; a happy maid or nanny is more likely to continue working for you if she feels she’ll be treated well at the end of her service.

• Reputation and Ethical Practice: Within expat communities, word gets around. Families who are known to treat their domestic staff generously often find it easier to hire and retain good helpers. Conversely, if a worker leaves without so much as a thank-you or any token after many years, it might discourage others from wanting to work in your household. Paying gratuity voluntarily is generally seen as part of ethical employment practices for domestic staff in the UAE, even if not enforced by law. As one community member aptly put it, “If you can afford a maid, you can afford the gratuity… it’s nothing (minor) to you, but it’s huge to them.”

How to Calculate Gratuity for Domestic Workers in UAE

If you want to offer a gratuity but aren’t sure how much to pay, the previous law’s formula is still a helpful benchmark:

* 14 days of salary for each full year of service
* Based on the last basic monthly salary

Example:
If your maid earned AED 2,000/month and worked for 3 years, the gratuity would be:

(2,000 ÷ 30) x 14 x 3 = **AED 2,800**

To make life easier, we’ve built a Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator that does the math for you.

Use the Yaya Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator

We designed this tool to help both families and workers estimate a gratuity amount based on the previous standard — since that’s what many people still use in practice.

Use the Free Domestic Workers Gratuity Calculator Here

Just enter:

• Start and end date of employment
• Final monthly salary

And we’ll show you the total gratuity, broken down year by year.

Looking for a maid gratuity calculator, nanny gratuity calculator, or cleaner gratuity tool? You’re in the right place.

Other Tips and Obligations When Ending a Domestic Helper’s Service

Even if gratuity isn’t required, there are still a few things families should do when ending a contract:

• Final salary: Pay all outstanding wages up to the final working day.
• Unused leave: Compensate any untaken annual leave (30 days/year).
• Ticket home: Provide a one-way ticket to the domestic worker’s home country if they’re not renewing.
• Experience letter: It’s kind (and helpful) to provide a short letter for future jobs.
• Document return: Make sure all personal documents (passport, ID, insurance cards) are returned.
• Notice period: If your contract states a notice period, follow it. 30 days is typical.
• Visa cancellation: Don’t forget to cancel the worker’s residency visa on time to avoid fines.

These small steps go a long way in closing things on good terms.

Final Word from Yaya

So here’s the verdict: While gratuity for domestic workers in UAE isn’t legally required in 2025, families who choose to offer it often follow the old 14-day rule, especially if they’ve completed a long service or been part of your family for years, a gratuity or farewell bonus is a meaningful gesture.

It’s not mandatory, but it is memorable. And it says: “Thank you for everything.”

We recommend using our gratuity calculator to guide what that amount might look like. It’s based on the old law’s formula, still widely used by families today.

We’ll continue to monitor any Cabinet or MOHRE updates, and we’ll update this post if the legal situation changes.