Understanding employee leave entitlements in Egypt is crucial for ensuring compliance and maintaining positive employee relations. Egyptian labor law provides a framework for various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, designed to protect employee well-being and provide necessary time off for personal circumstances.
Navigating these regulations requires attention to detail, particularly regarding eligibility criteria, duration, and compensation for each leave type. Employers operating in Egypt must adhere to these statutory requirements to avoid potential legal issues and support their workforce effectively.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Egypt are entitled to paid annual leave, with the minimum duration increasing based on their length of service. This leave accrues over time and must be granted by the employer.
| Years of Service | Minimum Annual Leave Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 15 days |
| 1 to 10 years | 21 days |
| Over 10 years | 30 days |
| Over 50 years | 45 days |
- Employees are generally required to take their annual leave.
- Employers must approve leave requests, considering business needs.
- Employees are typically entitled to receive their full salary during annual leave.
- Leave days for employees under 18 years old are generally 30 days per year.
- Employees working in remote or difficult areas may be entitled to an additional 7 days of leave.
Public Holidays
Egypt observes several official public holidays throughout the year. Employees are typically entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are generally entitled to double pay for that day. Some holidays follow the Gregorian calendar, while others follow the Islamic lunar calendar, meaning their dates vary each year.
Below is a list of common public holidays observed in Egypt. Please note that dates for Islamic holidays (marked with *) are approximate for 2025 and subject to official confirmation based on moon sighting.
| Date (Approx. 2025) | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 7 | Coptic Christmas |
| January 25 | Revolution Day / Police Day |
| April 21* | Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) |
| April 25 | Sinai Liberation Day |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| June 16* | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| June 30 | Revolution Day |
| July 7* | Islamic New Year |
| July 23 | Revolution Day |
| September 15* | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday |
| October 6 | Armed Forces Day |
Sick Leave Policies and Pay
Employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury are entitled to sick leave, provided they present a medical certificate from a competent medical authority. The duration and pay structure for sick leave are regulated by social insurance law.
The standard sick leave entitlement is up to 180 days per year. The payment structure is typically as follows:
| Duration of Sickness (within 180 days) | Percentage of Salary Paid |
|---|---|
| First 90 days | 75% of salary |
| Following 90 days | 85% of salary |
- Sick leave exceeding 180 days in a year is generally unpaid.
- The employee must notify the employer of their absence and provide a medical certificate.
- The Social Insurance Organization is typically responsible for paying sick leave benefits according to the law.
Parental Leave
Egyptian law provides specific entitlements for parental leave, primarily focusing on maternity leave. Paternity and adoption leave are not explicitly mandated by law but may be provided based on company policy or collective agreements.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave.
- Duration: 90 days (including pre- and post-natal periods).
- Eligibility: Requires at least 10 months of service with the employer.
- Frequency: An employee can typically claim maternity leave up to two times during her service with the employer.
- Pay: The employee is entitled to full pay during maternity leave, usually covered by social insurance.
Paternity Leave
There is no statutory entitlement to paternity leave under Egyptian labor law. Some employers may offer a few days of paid or unpaid leave for new fathers as a company benefit.
Adoption Leave
Egyptian labor law does not explicitly regulate adoption leave. In practice, female employees who adopt may be granted leave similar to maternity leave, often depending on the employer's discretion or internal policies.
Other Leave Types
Beyond the primary categories, Egyptian labor law and common practice recognize other types of leave for specific circumstances:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member (e.g., spouse, parent, child). The duration is usually 3 days.
- Study Leave: Employees enrolled in educational programs may be granted leave for exams, subject to employer approval and internal policies.
- Hajj/Umrah Leave: Muslim employees may be entitled to a one-time paid leave for performing Hajj (pilgrimage), typically for a period of up to one month, after a certain period of service (e.g., 5 or 10 years). This is often a statutory entitlement.
- Marriage Leave: While not explicitly mandated by the core labor law for all employees, some sectors or collective agreements may provide a few days of paid leave for an employee's marriage.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not a statutory entitlement but may be offered by employers as a benefit for long-serving employees, typically unpaid or partially paid and for extended periods.
