Saudi Sick Leave Calculator (Article 117) 2026
Sick pay for an absence under Saudi Labor Law Article 117 — 30 days at full wage, 60 at three-quarters, 30 unpaid within a year — placing your days in the right tier, with pay lost and entitlement remaining.
| Days at full pay (30) | — |
|---|---|
| Days at 75% (60) | — |
| Unpaid days (30) | — |
| Beyond 120 days | — |
| Daily wage | — |
| Sick pay | — |
| Pay lost versus normal salary | — |
| Remaining entitlement this year | — |
In short
Saudi Labor Law Article 117 gives 120 days of sick leave within a year from the first day of sickness — 30 days at full wage, 60 at three-quarters and 30 unpaid, continuous or intermittent — on the actual wage divided by 30, so 45 sick days on SAR 11,000 a month pay SAR 15,125 against SAR 16,500 of normal salary; the employer may only terminate once the 120 days are exhausted, with full end-of-service.
Who this is for: Employees on sick leave in Saudi Arabia and HR/payroll teams working out how much of a sick absence is paid at full wage, 75% or unpaid within the year.
Sick leave pay under Article 117
A worker whose illness is confirmed by an approved medical certificate is entitled, within a single year counted from the first day of sickness, to 30 days at full wage, then 60 days at three-quarters of the wage, then 30 days without pay — 120 days in all, whether taken continuously or in separate spells. The wage is the actual wage (basic plus fixed allowances) divided by 30 for a daily rate. The calculator places the days of the current absence into whichever tier the year's running total has reached, so a second spell of sickness later in the year is paid correctly.
Once the 120 days are exhausted the employer may terminate under Article 82 with the full end-of-service award; sickness that overlaps annual leave does not consume the annual-leave days (Article 112). Work-related injury is a separate regime under Articles 133–137: 75% of the wage from the first day for up to a year, through GOSI.
See also: Saudi End of Service Calculator (EOSB).
Assumptions
- 120-day sequence per year from the first sick day: 30 at 100%, 60 at 75%, 30 at 0%; days already used this year move the current absence along the sequence.
- Daily wage = (basic + fixed allowances) ÷ 30; calendar days.
- Medical certification assumed; work-injury absence (Art. 137) and contractual extras are not modelled.
- Days beyond 120 are shown as unpaid and flagged.
Worked example
Daily wage SAR 366.67. First 30 days at full pay = SAR 11,000; next 15 days at 75% = SAR 4,125. Sick pay SAR 15,125 against SAR 16,500 of normal pay — SAR 1,375 lost. 75 days of the 120-day sequence remain for the year (45 more at 75%, then 30 unpaid).
Frequently asked questions
How many sick days do I get in Saudi Arabia?
120 days a year: 30 at full pay, 60 at 75% pay and 30 unpaid, counted from the first day of sickness in that year.
Is sick pay on basic or full salary?
On the actual wage — basic plus fixed allowances like housing and transport; variable commission and overtime are excluded.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Yes, from a government hospital or an approved private provider; employers may require it for even one day.
Does the year mean the calendar year?
No. It is a rolling year starting from the first day of the first sickness, so the 120-day sequence resets 12 months after that date.
Can I be fired while on sick leave?
Not during the 120-day entitlement. After it is exhausted the employer may terminate under Article 82, paying the full end-of-service award.
What about work injuries?
Separate rules: GOSI pays 75% of the wage from the first day (100% if treated as inpatient) for up to a year under Articles 133–137, without using sick-leave days.
Are weekends counted?
Yes, sick leave is in calendar days, so Fridays and Saturdays inside a certified absence count toward the 120.
Does sick leave reduce my end-of-service?
No; paid and unpaid sick leave within the entitlement counts as service for the end-of-service award.
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