Finance

Maternity Leave Calculator (Saudi Arabia)

Calculate your actual maternity-leave schedule under Article 151 of the Saudi Labor Law: 12 weeks fully paid, the pre/post-birth day split, any unpaid extension if the birth is delayed, and the sick/special-needs newborn case.

Your leave start date

You may start up to 4 weeks (28 days) before the expected due date.

Birth date (actual or expected)

Use the expected date from your medical certificate if the birth hasn't happened yet, or the actual date if it has.

Newborn's condition

Monthly salary Used only to estimate your total pay during the leave.

Enter your details and press "Calculate" to see your result here.

About this calculator

What the result means

Article 151 of the Saudi Labor Law (after the latest amendment) grants a working woman fully paid maternity leave of 12 weeks (84 days). She may distribute this so it starts up to 4 weeks (28 days) before the expected due date, with the 6 weeks (42 days) following the birth being mandatory rest during which she may not work. If the birth is delayed past its expected date such that fewer than 42 days remain after the actual birth, the shortfall is granted as unpaid leave to guarantee the full mandatory rest. A further 30-day unpaid extension may be requested after the standard leave ends. If the newborn is sick or has special needs requiring a permanent companion, an additional fully paid month (30 days) is granted after the standard leave ends, extendable by one more unpaid month.

Recommendation

Notify your employer early with the medical report specifying the expected due date so your leave distribution can be arranged precisely. Remember the six weeks following birth are mandatory rest and you may not work during them even if you wish to. If your actual birth is later than expected, check how many days actually remain after birth to know whether you'll need the unpaid extension. Labor law prohibits dismissing or warning of dismissal during maternity leave or due to pregnancy/childbirth-related illness — if you face this, document it and seek specialized advice immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Can an employer refuse maternity leave?

No, maternity leave is a statutory right guaranteed under Article 151 for every private-sector working woman, and an employer cannot refuse it or demand it be shortened. Dismissing the employee or warning of dismissal during the leave is also prohibited.

What happens if I give birth much earlier than expected?

If the birth happens before your planned leave start, the leave effectively begins on the birth date, and you're still entitled to the full 84 paid days afterward with no negative effect — the 28-day pre-birth maximum is an optional ceiling, not a mandatory requirement.

Is the daily breastfeeding hour separate from maternity leave?

Yes. After returning from maternity leave, a breastfeeding employee is entitled to a paid daily hour for nursing during the 24 months following birth, counted within working hours with no deduction from pay.

Does this calculator apply to government-sector employees?

This calculator is based on the private-sector Labor Law (Article 151). Employees under the Civil Service system have a separate leave system that may differ in duration — check the Civil Service system or your government employer to confirm your actual entitlement.

Do I get longer leave for twins?

Twins are generally treated as a normal birth within the standard 12 weeks, but an exceptional extension request can be made if the twins' medical condition requires special care — this is assessed case by case, not automatic.