Saudi annual-leave guide
How to Calculate Annual Leave and Unused Leave in Saudi Arabia
Saudi annual leave usually depends on completed service, while the cash value of unused accrued days is relevant when employment ends. This guide separates entitlement from payment and shows how to estimate the balance clearly.
Reviewed against official HRSD guidance on 28 October 2026
Annual-leave entitlement
Before five completed years
At least 21 days of paid annual leave for each year.
After five consecutive years
At least 30 days of paid annual leave for each year with the same employer.
How to estimate unused leave value
1. Confirm the unused accrued days
Use the employer's approved balance and records, including any eligible proportional accrual for the relevant period.
2. Find the daily wage
Divide the applicable monthly wage basis by 30 days. Confirm which wage components apply to your contract and circumstances.
3. Calculate the estimated value
Multiply the daily wage by the number of unused accrued leave days.
Unused leave formula
Estimated unused leave value = monthly wage basis ÷ 30 × unused accrued days
Worked example: SAR 9,000 monthly wage and 12 unused days
- Daily wage: SAR 9,000 ÷ 30 = SAR 300
- Unused balance: 12 days
- Estimated unused leave value: SAR 300 × 12 = SAR 3,600
When is unused leave paid?
Official guidance states that annual leave cannot be exchanged for cash while employment continues. A worker is entitled to payment for unused accrued leave when leaving the job. Scheduling, carryover, records, and disputed balances may affect a specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Does annual leave increase from 21 to 30 days?
Yes. The statutory minimum increases after five consecutive years of service with the same employer.
Can annual leave be replaced with cash during employment?
Official guidance says annual leave may not be exchanged for cash while the employment relationship continues.
Does a partial year create leave entitlement?
A proportional balance may arise based on the applicable accrual and employment records. Confirm the approved balance with the employer.
Are salary details stored?
No. AjrCalc processes calculator entries locally in your browser and does not send them to a salary database.
Official source and review note
The entitlement and unused-balance explanation was reviewed against Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development annual-leave guidance. Verify current official rules for consequential or disputed cases.
Read the official HRSD annual-leave guidance