Hiring in Kuwait

Ensure compliance with Kuwait Labour Law, contracts, social security requirements, and expatriate sponsorship rules. Explore wages, benefits, payroll taxes, and hiring regulations.

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Employment Contract

All contracts must be written and include:

Working hours
Salary & allowances
Paid leave
Notice periods
Termination rules
Benefits
Social contributions (for Kuwaiti nationals)

Notice Periods:
Generally 3 months for indemnity-based contracts.

Termination of Employment:
Allowed under:

Contract expiry
Mutual agreement
Misconduct
Redundancy

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Employee Benefits

Mandatory Benefits:

30 days annual leave
Sick leave (up to 114 days with varying pay)
Social security (Kuwaiti nationals)
End-of-service indemnity (expats)
Paid public holidays
Maternity leave: 70 days (paid)

Leave Policies:

Annual Leave: 30 days
Sick Leave: Up to 114 days (full → reduced payouts)
Parental Leave: Maternity 70 days, childcare as per employer

Healthcare:
Kuwait has mandatory health insurance for expatriates. Many employers provide private health insurance as an additional benefit.

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Taxes in Kuwait

Kuwait has no personal income tax.

Employer Contributions (Kuwaiti nationals):

Social Security: ~11% employer
Employee contribution: ~10%

Expatriates do not contribute to social security but receive end-of-service indemnity.

Payroll in Kuwait

Base Salary: Must comply with minimum wage guidelines.

Payment Schedule: Monthly.

Additional Payments:

Allowances (housing, transport)
Bonuses (discretionary)

Taxes and Social Security:

Social security for nationals
Work injury insurance
End-of-service gratuity for expatriates

Payroll Reporting:

Monthly: Social security submissions
Annual: Payroll summaries

Payroll Currency: KWD

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Legal Regulations

Kuwait Labour Law covers working hours, benefits, termination, and indemnity.

Total Employment Cost:
Employer cost adds 10–25% above salary.

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Work Permits & Visas for Kuwait

Foreign workers must obtain:

Work visa
Residency permit
Employer sponsorship

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EOR & PEO Services in Kuwait

EOR services in Kuwait allow companies to hire employees legally without establishing a local entity. The EOR acts as the legal employer while you retain control over daily work and performance. This ensures compliance with Kuwaiti labor laws, immigration rules, and employment regulations.

EOR services help with: