How much notice do I give when I resign in Bahrain?
30 days, in writing, signed for on handover or sent by registered post (Arts. 99 and 100). On probation it is at least 1 day (Art. 21).
Checked 24 October 2026
Get your datesEvery deadline as a date, from your last working day.
What to do now
- Fill in the Bahrain resignation letter and print two copies.
- Get one signed and dated by your employer, or send it by registered post.
- Build your leaving plan for your final pay date.
See an example plan
What to ask HR
- Will you sign and date my copy of the letter?
- Will you waive part of my notice, in writing?
The rule
Either side may end an open-ended contract by giving the other 30 days' prior notice (Art. 99).
The notice must be in writing. Have it signed for when you hand it over, or post it by registered mail (Art. 100).
An employer may agree a longer notice when it is the one ending the contract. The law sets no longer period for you (Art. 99).
How to hand it in
- Print two copies of your letter and sign both.
- Hand one to your employer and ask them to sign and date the other.
- If nobody will sign, send it by registered post and keep the receipt.
Keep the signed copy or the post receipt safe. It shows when you gave notice.
Leaving earlier
Your employer can release you from some or all of the notice (Art. 103). Ask, and get the answer in writing.
Walk out without notice, and the contract ends that same day (Art. 99).
Your employer can claim compensation only if you also left at a bad time, to cause harm, or caused serious damage. A court decides that (Art. 112).
Probation
Probation lasts up to 3 months, or up to 6 for some jobs the Minister sets. It must be in your contract, and only once (Art. 21).
During probation, 1 day's notice or more from either side ends the contract.
Fixed-term contracts
On a fixed-term contract, check your contract and ask the Ministry of Labour before you end it early.
Your indemnity
Article 116 has no cut for resigning. It pays half a month's wage a year for 3 years, then a month a year.
For expats, SIO pays the part for service from 1 March 2024. Ask SIO what resigning means for that part.
Your final pay
When you leave of your own accord, your employer has up to 7 days from the day you leave to pay (Art. 40).
The Ministry of Labour's complaint service only takes workers still in the job, so raise a problem during your notice.