What is the Nafis Child Allowance in the UAE?

The Nafis Child Allowance is a government cash benefit providing AED 600 per month per child for Emirati nationals working in the private sector earning a monthly basic salary between AED 6,000 and AED 50,000. Under updated 2026 rules, there is no cap on the number of eligible children.

What maternity and paternity leave benefits are mandated by UAE law?

Under UAE Labor Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), working mothers are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave (45 days full pay + 15 days half pay). Working fathers are entitled to 5 working days of paid parental leave.

Do expat employees receive government child benefits in the UAE?

Government cash allowances (such as Nafis child benefits and MOCD inflation aid) are reserved for UAE nationals. However, expat employees often receive family benefits through their employer contracts, including health insurance for dependents, annual flight tickets, and schooling allowances.

Home/Uae/Child Family Support Benefits Guide

MOCD & Nafis Family Welfare Framework 2026

UAE Child & Family Support Benefits Guide

Detailed handbook on government child allowances, family welfare support, statutory maternity and paternity leave, school fee assistance, and expat family benefits.

Family Social Security Architecture

Family welfare in the UAE is supported through a dual framework: Government Social Financial Assistance managed by the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) and Nafis Federal Program for UAE nationals, alongside Statutory Labor Law Family Benefits enforced by MoHRE for all private sector workers.

Select your residency status below to view specific child and family benefits.

UAE National Family Support (Nafis & MOCD)

Target Group: UAE National families employed in private/public sectors or low-income status

Benefit Program	Benefit Amount / Rate	Program Details & Scope
Nafis Child Allowance	AED 600 per month per child	No cap on number of children for private sector Emirati employees earning AED 6k-50k/mo
Low-Income Family Aid	Up to AED 10,000 / month	Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) monthly inflation allowance for eligible households
School Tuition Support	Up to 100% Fee Coverage	Government scholarships and educational grants for low-income citizens
DEWA / Utilities Subsidy	50% Electricity & Water Discount	Discount on residential utility bills for registered low-income citizen families

Maternity & Paternity Leave (Labor Law 33/2021)

👩‍🍼 Maternity Leave Entitlement

60 days total: 45 days fully paid + 15 days half paid. Includes 1 hour daily nursing break for 6 months post-return.

👨‍🍼 Paternity Leave Entitlement

5 working days paid parental leave available to all private sector male employees within 6 months of child's birth.

How to Claim Family Benefits

1. UAE Nationals: Register family details & birth certificates on the Nafis portal (nafis.gov.ae)
2. Low-Income Families: Submit income statement & utility bills on MOCD portal (mocd.gov.ae)
3. Expat Employees: Submit newborn birth certificate & passport to employer HR for health insurance & NOC
4. Attest foreign birth certificates at MOFA UAE for visa sponsorship

Frequently Asked Questions

The Nafis Child Allowance provides AED 600 per month per child for Emirati nationals working in the private sector earning AED 6,000 to AED 50,000/month, with no cap on the number of children.

Under UAE Labor Law (Decree-Law 33/2021), working mothers receive 60 days maternity leave (45 days full pay + 15 days half pay). Working fathers receive 5 working days paid parental leave.

Government cash allowances are reserved for citizens. However, expat employment contracts often include family benefits like health insurance for dependents, annual flight tickets, and schooling allowances.

🧮 Statutory Maternity & Paternity Leave Calculator →🇦🇪 Nafis Salary Support & Child Allowance Guide →👨‍👩‍👧 UAE Family Visa Sponsorship Guide →

MOCD & Nafis Verified

• Ministry of Community Development (MOCD): mocd.gov.ae
• Nafis Federal Portal: nafis.gov.ae