Expand your global workforce in Bahrain
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Bahrain
Capital
Manama
Currency
Bahraini Dinar
Languages
Arabic, English
GDP per Capita
$29,064.15
Employer Tax
12%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Talent overview
Bahrain comprises a group of 33 Islands in the Persian Gulf. It boasts a strategic location in the Persian Gulf through which most of the Western Petroleum must transit to reach open waters. Oil and Gas, Aluminum, Banking, Insurance, and Tourism are the dominant industries in Bahrain.
Major economic hubs:
Manama, Riffa, Muharraqq, Hamad Town, A’ali
Skills in demand:
Surgeon/Doctor, Lawyer, Professor, Pilot, Bank Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Marketing Director
Bahrain
Top local universities in Bahrain
University Of Bahrain
RANKING
Local: 1
World: 3,288
Arabian Gulf University
RANKING
Local: 2
World: 6,168
Ahila University
RANKING
Local: 3
World: 7,530
Bahrain Institute for Banking and Finance
RANKING
Local: 4
World: 7,957
University of Technology Bahrain
RANKING
Local: 5
World: 8,819
Top Local Job Boards:
Indeed, Google for Jobs, Bayt
Number of LinkedIn users:
522,000
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Clarendon Parker International, Aseel Manpower Agency, Emplinks, Fortune Recruitment
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Salary Data
Some common jobs in Bahrain with average annual salaries are mentioned below:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (BHD) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Chief Executive Officer | 3,420 | 9,075 |
| Country Manager | 2,520 | 6,687 |
| Managing Director | 2,840 | 7,536 |
| IT Director | 2,500 | 6,633 |
| Pilot | 2,640 | 7,005 |
| Financial Manager | 2,910 | 7,721 |
| IT Project Manager | 2,280 | 6,050 |
Employ in Bahrain
Employing in Bahrain
Below listed are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Bahrain (see How to Hire in Bahrain)
Employee Contract
The employment contract must be written in Arabic and must have two copies – One for the employer and one for the employee. A translated copy must be attached if the contract is written in another language.
The contract must contain the following details:
-
- Employers’ name, company address, and trade registration number.
- Employees’ names, birth dates, nationality, occupation, qualifications, residential addresses, and personal identification documents.
- Nature, type, and duration of job contract.
- Wage, mode of payment, and benefits.
Probation:
The probation period for Bharanian employees does not exceed 3 months. A probationary period can be increased to 6 months in certain types of jobs.
Public and Provincial Holidays
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year | National Holiday |
| January 5 | Arabian Gulf Cup Holiday | National Holiday |
| March 30 | Eid al-Fitr | National Holiday |
| March 31 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National Holiday |
| April 1 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National Holiday |
| May 1 | May Day | National Holiday |
| June 5 | Arafat Day | National Holiday |
| June 6 | Eid al-Adha | National Holiday |
| June 7 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | National Holiday |
| June 8 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | National Holiday |
| July 6 | Ashoora | National Holiday |
| July 7 | Ashoora Holiday | National Holiday |
| July 26 | Muharram | National Holiday |
| September 4 | The Prophet’s Birthday | National Holiday |
| December 16 | National Day | National Holiday |
| December 17 | National Day Holiday | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 30 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 15 days with full pay, next 20 days with half pay and next 20 days without pay | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 60 days | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Payroll in Bahrain
Minimum wage
The minimum wage for a Bahraini employee with a bachelor’s degree is BHD 450 (Bahraini dinars), for a diploma holder it is BHD 380, and for a secondary school employee or less, it is BHD 300.
Overtime pay
The employees are paid 25% during the daytime; 50% during the nighttime and 150% for their weekly rest days or public holidays for the overtime work they have done. The standard working hour is 40hrs per week and 8hrs a day.
How taxes work
Employer Payroll Tax
| Type of Contributions | Contributions |
| Social Security | 16%, increasing by 1% per year till it reaches 20% by January 2028 |
Employee Payroll Tax
| Type of Contributions | Contributions |
| Social Security | 8% |
Employee Income Tax
There is no personal income tax in Bahrain.
VAT
The standard rate of VAT in Bahrain is 10%.
Bonus
Employee offboarding
Employment in Bahrain can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment on substantial grounds. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee. See employment laws in Bahrain
The notice period in Bahrain for permanent employees and employees on probation is one day.
The severance pay in Bahrain as follows:
| Years of service | Severance Pay |
| First 3 years | 15 days salary for every year |
| 4th year onwards | 30 days salary for each year |
Visa and
immigration
Non-Bahraini employees must obtain a residency visa and a work visa (known as a labor card) to be employed in Bahrain.
The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) will issue the Work Visa before an employee arrives in Bahrain and the Labor Card will be issued upon arrival. The sponsoring organization must also provide proof of work contracts and proof that the said position requires foreign expertise.
Your employment toolkit for Bahrain
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
Overtime Pay
Visa and Immigration