July 18, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: The thoughtful and heartfelt initiative that puts people before policies and deadlines, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has provided young Emirati couples with something truly special: 10 days paid marriage leave for government employees.
Starting January 1, 2025, UAE nationals working in Dubai’s government departments can now enjoy their marriage leaves, 10 full days of paid leave to celebrate, enjoy, and adjust to married life, a gesture that combines compassion with smart governance.
This time is very crucial, especially when life moves fast, and personal moments often take a backseat to professional pressures. This decision feels like a warm reminder that some life events deserve to be lived, cherished, and celebrated without any workload.
A Simple But Powerful Message: “We See You”
This isn’t just about time off. The announcement of the 10-day paid marriage leave sends a deeply human message: that the leadership in Dubai values love, family, and emotional well-being. The decree covers UAE national employees working in government sectors, special zones like the Dubai International Financial Centre, judiciary members, and military personnel (excluding candidates).

But there are a few conditions on 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave to keep things official:
- The couple must both be UAE citizens.
- The employee must have completed their probation period.
- The marriage must take place after December 31, 2024, and be certified by UAE authorities.
- A copy of the marriage certificate must be submitted, but only once.
This clear, inclusive structure ensures that every eligible employee can plan and enjoy this leave with peace of mind.
Love, With No Pay Cuts Attached
What makes the 10 days of paid marriage leave even more generous is that it comes with full salary, allowances, and all financial benefits. No deductions, no questions asked.
Employees are also given the flexibility to take this leave all at once or split it up as needed, as long as it’s within a year of their wedding. Can’t take it in the first year because of national service or personal challenges? No problem. The leave can be postponed as well and used later but with the manager’s approval for 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave.

This kind of initiative of 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave is rare and deeply appreciated especially in the hassles of planning weddings, merging lives, and setting up new homes. For many young couples, this break can make such a positive change.
Switching Jobs? Your Marriage Leave Still Comes With You
In the working world, change is constant. People switch departments, take on new roles, or get posted elsewhere. One of the smartest aspects of this decree is that it protects your right to the 10 days of paid marriage leave, even if you change government jobs.
Imagine getting married just before switching to a new office, you won’t have to sacrifice your well-deserved leave. The law ensures your remaining days go with you, like a quiet reassurance in your contract that your personal life matters too.
Even military personnel, if called on duty during their 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave, are supported. The policy lets them use any leftover days after they complete their service. It’s thoughtful, it’s flexible, and above all, it’s deeply human.

More Than a Policy – A Cultural Statement
Dubai’s leadership is sending a message that will resonate far beyond government offices: personal milestones deserve institutional support. In a fast-paced world, where people often take too much stress for wedding planning along with their work, emails, and late-night reports, these 10 days of paid marriage leave represent something warmer. It’s a recognition that the start of a marriage isn’t just about a celebration, it’s about adjustment, emotional connection, and building the foundation of a family.
By giving some time for this, Dubai is not just improving job satisfaction, it’s helping to build not just stronger, happier families, also build strong communities for 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave.

A Thoughtful Beginning: 10 Days Paid Marriage Leave
As we step into 2025, this new policy offers more than just 10 days off work. It offers dignity, love, and support to every government employee walking into a new phase of life. The 10 days of paid marriage leave is not just another line in the HR handbook. It’s a heartfelt gesture and a reminder that behind every employee ID is a person, a partner, a story just beginning. And in true Dubai style, it’s handled with grace, care, and forward-thinking vision.
This bold and compassionate initiative doesn’t just check a box on employee benefits; it sets a new regional benchmark for work-life balance. As more couples prepare to tie the knot, the 10 days of paid marriage leave will become a source of emotional relief and joy during a life-changing moment. It’s rare for policies to feel personal, but the 10 days of paid marriage leave bring a sense of care and celebration into government offices. In the years to come, this 10 days paid marriage leave could inspire similar people-first reforms across sectors, turning a simple leave policy into a legacy of love and wellbeing.
Also Read: Hajj 2026: UAE’s Hajj Digital System Promises a More Peaceful Pilgrimage