Qatar gratuity rules: how end-of-service pay works
Everything that decides your gratuity in Qatar — in plain English, with the article behind each rule. Want the number? The gratuity calculator does the maths.
Who qualifies
Qatar's end-of-service gratuity is governed by Law No. 14 of 2004. Under Article 54, once you've completed one year of continuous service you're entitled to gratuity when you leave. Below a year, none is due.
The rate — a flat three weeks
The statutory minimum is three weeks (21 days) of basic wage for each year of service. This is where Qatar differs from its neighbours: there are no tiers. The UAE pays 21 days then rises to 30 after five years; Saudi pays half a month then a full month; Qatar simply pays 21 days a year, whether that's your second year or your twentieth. An employer can choose to pay more, but the floor is the same throughout.
What it's calculated on
Your last basic wage — not your total package. Housing, transport, other allowances, bonuses and overtime are excluded. Your daily wage is the basic monthly salary divided by 30, and gratuity is that daily figure times 21 times your years of service, with part-years paid pro-rata.
No cap
Unlike Kuwait (18 months) or the UAE (two years), Qatar sets no maximum on gratuity. It keeps growing with your service.
Resignation and dismissal
After a year, resigning doesn't reduce your gratuity — there's no Saudi- or Kuwait-style ladder. The one thing that can affect it is a dismissal for a serious cause under Article 61, where entitlement may be lost. Because those cases turn on specifics, get advice if one applies to you.
Worked examples
| Basic wage | Service | Gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| QAR 6,000 | 3 years | QAR 12,600 |
| QAR 10,000 | 5 years | QAR 35,000 |
| QAR 15,000 | 10 years | QAR 105,000 |
Each is (basic ÷ 30) × 21 × years — for example, 10,000 ÷ 30 × 21 × 5 = QAR 35,000.
When to get advice
This guide and the calculator give you a confident, law-based estimate. Contracts can be more generous, and Article 61 dismissals turn on specifics. For a binding figure, confirm with the Ministry of Labour or a qualified advisor.
Based on Qatar Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004), Article 54 — last verified 14 June 2026.
Frequently asked
How many days of gratuity per year in Qatar?
Three weeks — 21 days — of basic wage for every year of service, the same for all years (Article 54). Employers may pay more, but not less.
Does Qatar gratuity increase after 5 or 10 years?
Not under the statutory minimum. Qatar uses a flat 21 days per year regardless of tenure, unlike the UAE's 21-then-30 or Saudi's half-then-full-month structure.
Is gratuity calculated on basic or gross pay?
The last basic wage only — allowances, bonuses and overtime are excluded.
Is there a maximum gratuity in Qatar?
No statutory cap, unlike Kuwait (18 months) or the UAE (two years). The figure simply grows with your service.
Can I lose gratuity if I resign?
No — after a year, resignation doesn't reduce it. Only a dismissal for a cause under Article 61 can affect entitlement.