Kuwait Indemnity If You Resign — How Much You Keep
The Short Answer
If you resign from an open-ended (indefinite) contract in Kuwait, Article 51 pays your indemnity on a sliding scale set by your length of service:
- Under 3 years: nothing.
- 3 to under 5 years: half.
- 5 to under 10 years: two-thirds.
- 10 years or more: the full indemnity, the same as if you had been terminated.
If your employer ends your contract, your fixed-term contract expires, or you leave by mutual agreement, you get the full indemnity at any length of service. Nothing is added on top for termination; the only difference is that the resignation cuts do not apply.
What You Get, Year by Year
Every figure below uses a basic salary of KWD 600 a month and whole years of service. Your figure scales with your salary: at KWD 1,200 basic, double each amount.
| Service | If you resign | If terminated or contract ends | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | KWD 0 | KWD 600 | None |
| 3 years | KWD 450 | KWD 900 | 1/2 |
| 4 years | KWD 600 | KWD 1,200 | 1/2 |
| 5 years | KWD 1,000 | KWD 1,500 | 2/3 |
| 6 years | KWD 1,400 | KWD 2,100 | 2/3 |
| 7 years | KWD 1,800 | KWD 2,700 | 2/3 |
| 8 years | KWD 2,200 | KWD 3,300 | 2/3 |
| 9 years | KWD 2,600 | KWD 3,900 | 2/3 |
| 10 years | KWD 4,500 | KWD 4,500 | Full |
| 12 years | KWD 5,700 | KWD 5,700 | Full |
To see your exact figure, with your own dates and any extra months, use the Kuwait indemnity calculator.
When a Few Weeks Make a Big Difference
The cuts change the moment you complete 3, 5 or 10 full years, not gradually. So if you are close to a line, your leaving date matters a lot. At KWD 600 basic:
- 3 years: one day short gets you nothing. With 3 full years you get KWD 450.
- 5 years: one day short gets you KWD 750 (half). With 5 full years you get KWD 1,000 (two-thirds).
- 10 years: one day short gets you KWD 2,999 (two-thirds). With 10 full years you get KWD 4,500, the full amount, KWD 1,501 more.
Your service counts from your first day of work, including probation, so check the start date on your contract or work permit. Kuwaiti law does not say whether your last working day itself counts towards a full year, so to be safe, make sure your last working day (including any notice period) falls on or after your work anniversary. This calculator counts your last working day as worked, as Saudi Arabia's official Qiwa calculator does.
How the Amount Is Worked Out
The full indemnity is 15 days' pay for each of your first 5 years and a month's pay for each year after that, capped at 18 months' pay. The resignation share is then taken from that full amount. Part years are paid pro rata.
This site uses your basic salary and a 30-day month, which is the common practice. Some employers divide by 26 working days instead, which gives a slightly higher figure. The complete Kuwait guide explains both.
If Your Employer Will Not Pay
Resigning does not cancel your right to the share the law gives you. If your employer refuses or pays less, raise it in writing first, then take it to the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM). The complete guide's claims section sets out the steps, and the settlement checker shows whether what you were paid matches what you are owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get indemnity if I resign in Kuwait before 3 years?
No. If you resign from an indefinite contract with under 3 years of service, Article 51 gives no indemnity. If your employer ends the contract instead, you are paid for every month you worked.
How much indemnity do I get if I resign after 5 years in Kuwait?
Two-thirds of the full amount, until you reach 10 years. At KWD 600 basic, resigning with exactly 5 years pays KWD 1,000; after 7 years it pays KWD 1,800.
Is indemnity reduced if I resign after 10 years?
No. From 10 years of service you get the full indemnity whether you resign or are terminated. At KWD 600 basic that is KWD 4,500 at exactly 10 years (7.5 months of basic salary).
Is there extra indemnity if I am terminated instead of resigning?
No. Kuwait law has no termination bonus or 1.5x multiplier. Being terminated simply means the resignation cuts do not apply, so you receive the full indemnity.
Related Tools & Guides
More Guides
Sources & last reviewed: 19 June 2026
Reviewed by EOSBCalculator.com editorial team. Verified against the primary law and official government portals below. This is general information, not legal advice.