What is the notice period in Kuwait?
Written by Usama Afzal. Last updated: October 2026. Based on Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010; not legal advice.
Under Article 44 of Kuwait's Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, ending an indefinite (open-ended) contract needs written notice from either side: 3 months for workers paid monthly, 1 month for everyone else. Skip the notice and the side that ended the contract must pay the other side the worker's wage for the missed notice period. If the employer gives the notice, the worker also gets 1 paid day (or 8 paid hours) a week off to look for a new job.
Notice at a glance
| Situation | Notice required |
|---|---|
| Monthly-paid worker, indefinite contract | 3 months, in writing |
| Worker paid by the day, week or otherwise | 1 month, in writing |
| Either side during probation (up to 100 working days) | None |
| Fixed-term contract ending on its expiry date | None — it ends by itself |
The rule applies to indefinite contracts — the open-ended contracts most workers in Kuwait's private sector are on. Written notice means exactly that: a letter or a signed message, not just a verbal “I'm leaving”. Keep a copy, because if there is a dispute the Public Authority for Manpower will ask for proof of the notice and its date.
A worked example: what skipping notice costs
Notice pay is simple: the monthly salary multiplied by the months of notice. Take Ahmed, who earns KWD 400 a month on an indefinite contract. He resigns on 15 March with a written notice. His last working day is 14 June — 3 months later — and he is paid his normal salary through that date. The notice period also counts toward his end-of-service.
If instead his employer wants him gone immediately on 15 March and tells him not to work the notice, the employer must pay Ahmed a notice allowance of KWD 400 × 3 = KWD 1,200, on top of his final settlement. The same rule cuts both ways: if Ahmed simply walks out on 15 March without any notice, he owes his employer KWD 1,200.
| Monthly salary (KWD) | Notice | Notice pay if notice is skipped |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | 3 months | 900 |
| 400 | 3 months | 1,200 |
| 550 | 3 months | 1,650 |
This is why the notice decision is usually a money decision: serving the notice means three more months of salary; skipping it means paying the same amount out of pocket.
One paid day a week to find a new job
When the employer is the one ending the contract, the worker may take 1 full day off each week — or 8 hours spread across the week — to look for another job, with full pay (Article 44). The worker picks the day or the hours; the only condition is telling the employer at least the day before. The employer may not deduct this time from your salary, and it does not count as absence.
Told to stay home during your notice? You're still paid
The employer can exempt the worker from working during the notice period, but the period still counts as service and the full wage must be paid (Article 44). The notice time also still builds your end-of-service entitlement — being sent home early does not cut your service short.
No notice during probation
Probation must be written in the contract and may not exceed 100 working days (Article 32). During probation, either side can end the contract without any notice at all. If the employer ends it, the worker still gets end-of-service pay for the days actually worked. And the same employer may put a worker on probation only once — a “second probation” after a renewal has no legal effect.
Fixed-term contracts
A fixed-term contract must run at least 1 year and at most 5 years, and it can be renewed by agreement when it expires (Article 30). When it reaches its end date, it simply ends — neither side needs to give notice. But watch the expiry date: if both sides keep working after it without signing a renewal, the contract is treated as renewed for a similar period on the same terms, and the worker keeps all rights earned under the old contract (Article 31).
Missing work without permission
If a worker is absent for 7 consecutive days, or 20 separate days within a year, without an acceptable reason, the employer may treat the worker as legally resigned (Article 42). The safest habit is simple: always inform your employer in writing when you cannot come to work, and keep a copy of every message.
Where to complain if notice pay is not paid
File a complaint with Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) — in person or through its official channels. PAM's own “Know Your Rights” advisory (August 2026) restated exactly these Article 44 notice rules, so the labour office is the right door for this dispute. Bring your contract, salary slips and any termination letter, and file within one year of the dispute.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must I give my employer in Kuwait?
For an indefinite contract: 3 months in writing if you are paid monthly, 1 month otherwise (Article 44, Labour Law No. 6 of 2010). Probation needs no notice from either side.
Can my employer fire me without notice in Kuwait?
Only for serious misconduct listed in the law. For an ordinary end of an indefinite contract, the employer must give you written notice — 3 months if you are monthly-paid — or pay you the wage for the notice period instead.
What happens if I resign without giving notice?
You owe your employer a notice allowance equal to your wage for the notice period: for example, 3 months' salary if you are paid monthly.
Do I still get paid if my employer tells me not to come in during the notice period?
Yes. The employer may exempt you from work, but the notice period still counts as service and your full wage must be paid — it also still builds your end-of-service.
Is there a notice period during probation in Kuwait?
No. Either side can end the contract during probation (maximum 100 working days) without notice. If the employer ends it, the worker still gets end-of-service pay for the days actually worked.
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