# Hiring in Qatar: employment costs, payroll and compliance

> Machine-readable page from EOR Overview (https://eoroverview.com/), an independent research platform for Employer of Record services.
> Canonical page: https://eoroverview.com/hiring-guides/qatar/
> Methodology: how providers are researched, scored and compared is documented at https://eoroverview.com/methodology/.
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> Statutory data last updated: 2026-02-26. Every figure below carries its own source year.

## Country

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia |
| Currency | QAR (Qatari Riyal) |

## Pay & working time

| Field | Value | Source year |
|---|---|---:|
| Minimum wage | QAR 1,000 | 2024 |
| 13th-month salary | none | 2026 |

## Employer cost & tax

| Field | Value | Source year |
|---|---|---:|
| Employer social security | 14% | 2024 |
| Employee social security | 7% | 2024 |
| Corporate tax rate | 10% | 2026 |

## Termination

| Field | Value | Source year |
|---|---|---:|
| Notice period | 7.2 weeks | 2019 |
| Severance pay | 16 weeks | 2019 |

## Leave & time off

| Field | Value | Source year |
|---|---|---:|
| Maternity leave | 7.1 weeks | 2026 |
| Paternity leave | 0 weeks | 2026 |

## Labour market

| Field | Value | Source year |
|---|---|---:|
| Retirement age | 60 | 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 0.1% | 2025 |
| GDP per capita | $76,689 | 2024 |

## Overview

Qatar moves quickly on some things and slowly on others. An Employer of Record (EOR) can get a new hire contracted and on payroll in a matter of days, because you skip the process of registering a local entity. What takes longer is anything that touches Qatar's work permit and residency system: the kafala sponsorship framework ties each worker's legal status to an employer, so transfers, exits, and changes of sponsor involve government processing time that no EOR can shortcut. Build that reality into your timeline from day one.

The numbers that shape your budget most are the employer social security contribution of 14% of gross salary and the statutory severance entitlement of 16 weeks. Qatar's unemployment rate sits at just 0.13%, which tells you the talent pool is tight and competitive salaries matter. The 1,000 QAR monthly minimum wage sets a low floor, but in practice most professional roles sit well above it given the cost of living and the competition for skilled workers.

## Cost context

The main driver of employer cost in Qatar beyond gross salary is the social security contribution of 14% of gross, which applies to Qatari nationals. Expatriate workers, who make up the large majority of Qatar's labour force, are generally not covered by the same social insurance scheme, so the cost structure for your hire can differ depending on the worker's nationality. Your EOR will apply the correct contribution rules based on each individual's status.

## Things to watch

A few Qatar-specific points that are worth keeping front of mind as you plan your hire:

- Employer social security at 14% applies on top of gross salary, which adds meaningfully to your total cost per head. Factor this in before you agree a package with a candidate.

- Severance of 16 weeks is a statutory entitlement, not a negotiable figure. For senior or long-tenured staff, this becomes a significant liability to account for in your financial planning.

- Notice periods of around 7 weeks mean you cannot move quickly to end an employment relationship, and you should not assume a shorter wind-down when planning project timelines or restructures.

- The kafala system means the EOR is the legal sponsor of your worker in Qatar. Any change to that arrangement, including moving the worker to a different employer or entity, requires formal government approval and takes time.

Providers ranked for Qatar: https://eoroverview.com/best/qatar/