Gratuity Calculation in Qatar 2026: End-of-Service Pay, Leave and Notice Rules
In Qatar, end-of-service gratuity is at least three weeks of basic salary for every year of service, after one year. Here is the formula with worked examples, plus the key Labour Law rules on annual leave, notice periods and getting your final dues paid.
Table of contents
- What is end-of-service gratuity in Qatar?
- How to calculate gratuity in Qatar: the formula
- Gratuity calculation examples
- Do allowances count towards gratuity?
- Do I get gratuity if I resign?
- What notice period do I need to give in Qatar?
- How much annual leave do I get in Qatar?
- What should my final settlement include?
- What if my employer doesn't pay my gratuity?
- Plan your next move
- Sources
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Based on Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 and its amendments, including Decree-Law No. 18 of 2020.
Short answer: gratuity calculation in Qatar follows one simple rule. If you've completed at least one year of service, you're entitled to end-of-service gratuity of at least three weeks of basic salary for every year worked, with part years counted proportionally (Article 54, Labour Law No. 14 of 2004). It's based on your last basic salary, not allowances. For example, someone on a basic salary of QAR 4,000 who leaves after three years should receive at least QAR 8,400. Your contract can offer more than this, but never less.
Here's how to work out your own gratuity, plus the leave and notice rules that affect your final settlement.
Key takeaways
- You qualify after 1 year of continuous service.
- Minimum gratuity: 3 weeks (21 days) of basic salary per year of service.
- Calculated on your last basic salary only, not housing, transport or other allowances.
- Notice period: 1 month if you've worked 2 years or less, 2 months if more (Decree-Law No. 18 of 2020).
- Annual leave: 3 weeks a year, rising to 4 weeks after 5 years with the same employer.
What is end-of-service gratuity in Qatar?
End-of-service gratuity is a lump sum that employers in Qatar must pay to workers when their employment ends, provided they've worked for at least one year. It's set out in Article 54 of the Labour Law. Qatari nationals usually receive a pension through the national pension scheme instead.
How to calculate gratuity in Qatar: the formula
- Find your daily basic wage: last monthly basic salary ÷ 30.
- Multiply by 21 (three weeks) to get the gratuity for one year.
- Multiply by your years of service, including part years proportionally.
In short: gratuity = (basic salary ÷ 30) × 21 × years of service. Unlike in some other Gulf countries, the rate doesn't increase after five years, though your contract may offer a more generous scheme.
Gratuity calculation examples
| Basic salary (monthly) | Service | Calculation | Minimum gratuity |
|---|---|---|---|
| QAR 4,000 | 3 years | 133.33 × 21 × 3 | QAR 8,400 |
| QAR 5,000 | 2.5 years | 166.67 × 21 × 2.5 | QAR 8,750 |
| QAR 7,500 | 6 years | 250 × 21 × 6 | QAR 31,500 |
| QAR 12,000 | 10 years | 400 × 21 × 10 | QAR 84,000 |
Daily basic wage = monthly basic salary ÷ 30. Figures rounded to the nearest riyal. Your contract may give a higher amount.
Do allowances count towards gratuity?
No. Gratuity is based on your basic salary only, unless your contract says otherwise. Housing, transport, food and other allowances aren't included.
That makes the split of your salary important. On a total package of QAR 9,000, a basic salary of QAR 6,000 gives you twice as much gratuity as a basic salary of QAR 3,000. Check the split before you sign. Our guide to the average salary in Qatar explains how packages are usually structured.
Do I get gratuity if I resign?
Yes. Under the Labour Law, gratuity is earned through your years of service. If you've completed at least one year, you're entitled to it whether you resign or your employer ends the contract, as long as you follow the notice rules. Your employer can deduct amounts you genuinely owe, such as an outstanding loan, but must show the deduction clearly.
What notice period do I need to give in Qatar?
Since Decree-Law No. 18 of 2020, the same notice rules apply to both employers and workers:
- 2 years' service or less: one month's notice.
- More than 2 years' service: two months' notice.
If you resign during probation to move to another employer in Qatar, you need to give at least one month's notice. The old rule of two months' notice only after five years no longer applies. You also no longer need a No Objection Certificate to change jobs. See our Qatar work visa guide for how job changes work.
How much annual leave do I get in Qatar?
- Less than 5 years of service: at least 3 weeks of paid annual leave a year.
- 5 years or more with the same employer: at least 4 weeks a year.
When your job ends, you should be paid for any annual leave you've earned but not taken, as part of your final settlement.
What should my final settlement include?
- your end-of-service gratuity;
- unpaid salary up to your last working day;
- payment for unused annual leave;
- any other benefits in your contract, such as a return flight ticket.
What if my employer doesn't pay my gratuity?
- Ask your employer in writing for a final settlement statement.
- If payment is late or wrong, file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour through its online complaints platform.
- Unresolved cases go to the Labour Dispute Settlement Committees, which are designed to decide cases quickly.
- If an employer can't pay, the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund can pay workers' wages and end-of-service benefits that are owed.
Keep copies of your contract, payslips and WPS salary records. They're your best evidence.
Plan your next move
Before you resign, check your notice period, your gratuity and your residence permit position. When you're ready, browse the latest jobs in Qatar on GetQatarJobs, including jobs in Doha.
Sources
- Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004, Article 54 (end-of-service gratuity) and annual leave provisions
- Decree-Law No. 18 of 2020 amending the Labour Law (notice periods)
- Ministry of Labour (Qatar), complaints and Labour Dispute Settlement Committees
This article is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, contact Qatar's Ministry of Labour or a qualified lawyer.