UAE Overtime Calculator 2026: Rates, Limits and Examples
UAE employer tools · Updated November 2026
Work out overtime pay for a private-sector employee in the UAE. Enter the basic salary and the hours worked. The calculator applies the minimum rates in Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and shows each step, so HR teams and employees can check the figures.
Results are estimates at the legal minimum rates. Your contract may pay more. This is not legal advice.
UAE Overtime Rules at a Glance
| Rule | What the law says | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Normal hours | Up to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week | Article 17 |
| Overtime limit | No more than 2 extra hours a day, and 144 total hours in 3 weeks | Article 19 |
| Daytime overtime | Basic wage plus at least 25% | Article 19 |
| Night overtime, 10pm to 4am | Basic wage plus at least 50%; not for shift workers | Article 19 |
| Rest day work | A substitute rest day, or basic wage plus at least 50% | Article 19 |
The rules come from Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The Executive Regulations set out exemptions, such as for some senior roles.
How to Calculate Overtime Pay
Worked example
An employee earns a basic salary of AED 6,000 a month. In one month, they work 10 hours of daytime overtime and 4 hours between 10pm and 4am.
- Hourly basic wage: AED 6,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = AED 25.
- Daytime overtime: 10 × AED 25 × 1.25 = AED 312.50.
- Night overtime: 4 × AED 25 × 1.5 = AED 150.
- Total: AED 462.50 on top of the monthly salary.
What Employers Must Do
- Record every overtime hour with the date and time worked.
- Keep overtime within 2 hours a day and 144 hours in 3 weeks.
- Pay overtime with the monthly salary through the Wage Protection System.
- Give a substitute rest day, or pay the rest-day rate, when staff work on their rest day.
- State the overtime policy in the contract or internal regulations.
Late or missing overtime pay can count as unpaid wages. Read our guide to UAE WPS salary rules for the 2026 payment deadlines.
Overtime for Tech Teams
Release weekends and on-call support can push engineers into regular overtime. Plan rotas so overtime stays within the legal limits.
For round-the-clock cover, consider managed IT services or a remote team in another time zone. Remote engineers placed through staff augmentation work under Indian employment terms, not UAE overtime rules.
Related Guides and Tools
UAE Overtime FAQs
How is overtime calculated in the UAE?
Overtime is the basic hourly wage plus at least 25%. Between 10pm and 4am, it is the basic hourly wage plus at least 50%. A common hourly rate is basic salary divided by 30, then by 8.
How much overtime is allowed in the UAE?
Overtime may not exceed two hours a day. Total working hours must not exceed 144 hours in three weeks.
Is overtime paid on basic or gross salary?
Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 bases overtime on the basic wage. Contracts can agree a higher rate.
What is the overtime rate for working on a rest day?
The employer must give a substitute rest day or pay the basic wage plus at least 50% for that work.
What are normal working hours in the UAE?
Normal working hours are up to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, under Article 17.
Does the night overtime rate apply to shift workers?
No. The 50% rate for 10pm to 4am does not apply to workers on shift systems.