Leave in The New Egyptian Labor Law: What Has Changed?

Following the release of the new labor law for the private sector in 2025, employee rights regarding holidays have become clearer and more organized. 

The law not only maintained basic leave entitlements but also added new types of leave, defining the conditions for obtaining them and the regulations for their use.

In this article, we explain the types of leave in the labor law, your rights as an employee or HR professional, and what has changed compared to the old law.

What Are the Types of Leave in the New Egyptian Labor Law?

The law regulates several types of leave to meet employees’ personal, health, and religious needs, including:

Annual Leave: Duration and Legal Provisions

According to the new labor law, employees are entitled to:

• 15 days after completing 6 months from the date of employment
• 21 paid days after one year of work
• 30 days after 10 years of service or upon reaching age 50
• 45 days for employees with disabilities

Important Notes:

• Leave can be carried over for a maximum of two years only
• Official holidays are not counted as part of annual leave

Sick Leave in Egyptian Labor Law: When Is It Granted?

Employees in industrial establishments are entitled to sick leave every 3 years if a competent medical authority confirms their potential for recovery.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 3 months at full pay (100%)
• 3 months at 85% pay
• 3 additional months at 75% pay

This ensures the employee’s right to recover without losing income.

Before you apply for time off due to illness, make sure you’re familiar with the rules on sick leave in Egyptian labor regulations.

Maternity Leave for Working Women: Rights and Legal Duration

The law protects working women and provides maternity leave as follows:

• 120 paid days
• Granted up to three times during employment
• Employers cannot dismiss female employees during leave or due to pregnancy

Additionally, women receive two daily breastfeeding breaks (30 minutes each) during the first two years after childbirth.

Additional Leave: What Does the Law Specify?

The new law introduced leave related to personal and social life, including:

• Hajj leave: Once for one month after 5 years of service
• Special circumstances: Such as marriage, exams, or the death of a relative
• Contact leave: For employees who have been in contact with someone with a contagious disease – exceptional leave not exceeding 3 months
• Unpaid leave: With employer approval

Do Leave Policies Differ Between the New and Old Labor Laws?

Yes, leave policies in Egypt’s new labor law of 2025 differ from the old law in several important ways. The law has introduced amendments aimed at promoting fairness and better meeting employees’ needs.

These changes reflect a more equitable approach toward workers and provide greater flexibility in dealing with their personal, health, and social circumstances.

Whether you’re an employer or employee, it’s important to understand what’s changed in the Egyptian Labor Law 2025.

Changes Compared to the Previous Law

Here’s a quick comparison between leave policies in the old Egyptian labor law (Law No. 12 of 2003) and the new labor law (Law No. 14 of 2025):

Type of Leave	Old Law	New Labor Law 2025
Annual Leave	21 days after the first year of service	– 15 days after 6 months of employment – 21 days after one year of service – 30 days after 10 years or reaching age 50 – 45 days for people with disabilities- Leave can be carried over for two years only
Sick Leave	Duration and percentages were not clearly defined	Up to 12 months every 3 years according to the medical report: – 3 months at full pay (100%) – 6 months at 85% pay – 3 months at 75% pay
Maternity Leave	90 paid days, number of times not specified	– 120 paid days- Granted up to 3 times during service – An employee cannot be dismissed during leave – Two daily breastfeeding breaks (30 minutes each) for the first two years
Marriage/Bereavement Leave	Granted, according to company policy, without clear regulation	– Granted under special circumstances, leave (paid) – Includes marriage, death, and examinations
Hajj Leave	Not stipulated	Granted once only, for one month, after 5 years of continuous service
Contact Leave	Did not exist	Exceptional leave up to 3 months when in contact with someone with a contagious disease, granted by medical decision
Unpaid Leave	Not precisely regulated	Available with employer approval, for personal or educational purposes

Employee Rights Regarding Leave

The law emphasizes that leave is a fundamental right for employees, and employers cannot:

• Postpone annual leave except for work-related reasons and with the employee’s consent
• Refuse sick leave that the competent authority has approved
• Deduct an employee’s salary for approved leave days

When Can Leave Be Refused? What Are the Legal Cases?

Employers can refuse annual leave requests in cases of:

• Conflict with work interests
• Absence of a replacement to cover duties
• Employee not being entitled to leave yet (for example, not completing 6 months from employment)

However, sick leave and official leave cannot be refused if proper documentation proving entitlement is provided.

What to Do if Your Leave Request Is Refused?

If your leave request is illegally refused:

• Request a written response regarding the refusal
• Go to the relevant labor office to file a complaint
• If no resolution is reached, you can resort to the labor court

The law requires disputes to be resolved within 90 days from the date the complaint is filed.

Conclusion

Egypt’s new labor law of 2025 has clarified all details related to annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and special leave. This makes it easier for employees to know their rights and for employers to comply with legal regulations.

Leave is not a luxury, but a legal right that helps you rest, maintain balance, and continue performing effectively.