JAFZA End of Service Calculator and Free Zone Gratuity Rules
If you work in JAFZA, DMCC, or most other UAE free zones, your gratuity is calculated using exactly the same formula as mainland employees, since these free zones follow Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The two genuine exceptions are DIFC and ADGM, which run their own separate employment systems. This page explains the formula, the free zone specific details, and where DIFC and ADGM differ.
Calculate your exact figure: Use our Gratuity Calculator UAE for a full breakdown.
JAFZA End of Service Calculator and Free Zone Gratuity Rules
Yes. JAFZA, along with DMCC and most other UAE free zones, follows the same federal labor law as mainland Dubai and the rest of the UAE. Your gratuity is calculated as 21 days of basic salary per year for the first 5 years, then 30 days per year after that, capped at 2 years’ total basic salary, exactly as it would be for a mainland employee.
JAFZA Gratuity Worked Example
An employee in JAFZA with a basic salary of AED 10,000 completes 6 years of service.
Final Gratuity
135 × AED 333.33 = AED 45,000
DMCC Gratuity Calculator
The same applies to DMCC. Since DMCC follows the federal labor law rather than running its own separate system, the calculation method, eligibility rules, and 2 year cap are identical to the JAFZA example above. There is no separate DMCC specific gratuity formula.
DIFC and ADGM: The Real Exceptions
DIFC and ADGM are the two free zones that genuinely operate outside Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Both run their own employment regulations with a different end of service structure, generally built around a workplace savings scheme rather than the 21 and 30 day gratuity formula used everywhere else.
| Topic | JAFZA, DMCC, and most free zones | DIFC and ADGM |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 | Their own separate employment regulations |
| Gratuity structure | 21 days per year, then 30 days after year 5 | Workplace savings scheme, contribution based |
| Cap | 2 years’ basic salary | Structured differently under the savings scheme |
If your employment is registered with DIFC or ADGM specifically, do not use the standard gratuity formula. Confirm your entitlement through your specific DIFC or ADGM employer or the relevant authority instead.
Ajman Free Zone and Other Free Zones
Ajman Free Zone, along with the free zones in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and most others outside DIFC and ADGM, generally follow the same federal labor law framework described above. The core gratuity formula does not change based on which specific free zone you work in, provided that free zone is not DIFC or ADGM.
Checking Your Free Zone Labour Card Status
Free zone employees sometimes cannot find their record through the standard MOHRE app or enquiry portal, since some free zone authorities maintain their own separate employment record system rather than feeding directly into MOHRE’s database. If a MOHRE search comes back empty and you work in a free zone, check your specific free zone authority’s own portal, or ask your HR team which system holds your official record.
Common Mistakes People Make
Editorial Review & Sources
Reviewed by: Gratuity Calculator UAE Team
Sources referenced: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, official MOHRE guidance, DIFC and ADGM employment regulations.
Official Reference: UAE Government – End of Service Benefits for Workers in the Private Sector
Last verified against official MOHRE guidance: July 2026. This page provides general information only, and is not a substitute for confirming your specific entitlement with MOHRE, your free zone authority, or a qualified labor lawyer.