Correction, 7 October 2026: This guide has been revised to remove unsupported salary-band calculations, automatic old/new-law splits and assumptions that DIFC and ADGM share the same benefits system.
ADGM is not automatically a DEWS system. DIFC and ADGM are separate employment jurisdictions. Confirm which law governs your employment before comparing benefits.
DIFC: DEWS or another qualifying scheme
DIFC introduced DEWS in February 2020. Covered employers generally make contributions to DEWS or another qualifying scheme, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions. Request your contribution statement and any pre-scheme accrued gratuity calculation. Use DIFC’s qualifying-schemes guidance; do not project a guaranteed investment return or assume a universal payout timetable.
ADGM: gratuity remains in the regulations
The ADGM Employment Regulations 2024, effective 1 April 2025 retain end-of-service gratuity provisions in section 61. ADGM’s official FAQs describe 21 days’ basic wage for the first five years and 30 days for additional years, with its own wage definition, daily-rate calculation and qualifying pension arrangements. Its annual basic-wage basis divided by 365 is not the federal monthly wage divided by 30 method.
What to request from your employer
Ask for the governing employment law, start and termination dates, recognised continuous service, applicable pension or scheme documents, contributions and any retained gratuity. The federal settlement calculator does not estimate DIFC or ADGM entitlements.
Disputes use the relevant jurisdiction
Check DIFC or ADGM’s official employment and court guidance. Do not assume an ordinary MoHRE complaint is the correct route, or that signing a receipt is necessary to create your entitlement.
Check which rules apply before using a calculator
DIFC’s DEWS or another qualifying scheme, ADGM employment regulations and the federal alternative Savings Scheme have distinct rules. Part-time work needs its contractual hours ratio; domestic, government and pension-covered employment are outside this standard calculation. Use the free-zone comparison to identify your arrangement.
The Final Settlement Checker deliberately excludes this arrangement.
Reviewed 7 October 2026. General information, not personalised legal advice. If the contract, service continuity, salary change or deduction is disputed, confirm the facts with the relevant authority or a qualified employment adviser.