Key facts at a glance
Employer GRSIA, Qatari national
14%
Of basic salary, capped at QAR 100K/mo
Employer GRSIA, expatriate
0%
Expats not covered
Article 54 accrual
3wk → 4wk/yr
Years 1-5, then year 6+
On a QAR 180,000 salary, three years into the role, a Qatari national costs an employer roughly QAR 215,700 a year once GRSIA and gratuity accrual are added. An expatriate on the same salary costs roughly QAR 190,500.
Run your own hiring cost through the calculator.
Employer Cost CalculatorWorked examples at three salary levels
| Profile | Total cost | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Qatari national, QAR 180K, year 3 | QAR 215,700 | 1.20× |
| Expatriate, QAR 180K, year 3 | QAR 190,500 | 1.06× |
| Qatari national, QAR 360K, year 8 | QAR 438,400 | 1.22× |
| Expatriate, QAR 360K, year 8 | QAR 388,000 | 1.08× |
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Frequently asked questions
What does it really cost to hire someone in Qatar, beyond their salary?
Two ongoing components sit on top of gross salary: GRSIA employer contribution (14% of basic salary for a Qatari national, 0% for an expatriate) and the accruing Article 54 end-of-service gratuity liability. Neither shows up on a payslip the way employee-side deductions do.
Why is hiring a Qatari national more expensive on paper than an expat?
Because the employer GRSIA rate is 14% for a Qatari national versus 0% for an expatriate. On identical gross salaries, that's a meaningfully larger direct payroll cost for the national hire.
How does Qatarization affect the real cost comparison?
Qatarization is the Ministry of Labour's national workforce quota system. Falling below your required band can restrict new work permit issuance for expatriate staff, an indirect cost that can dwarf the direct GRSIA saving from hiring expats. This article models direct payroll cost only.
Why does the gratuity accrual go up after year 5?
Because Article 54 itself is structured that way: three weeks' basic wage accrues per year for each of the first 5 years, then four weeks per year after that, with no cap.
What isn't included in these cost figures?
Work permit and visa processing costs, mandatory health insurance, recruitment fees, and Qatarization compliance risk. This article focuses on GRSIA employer contribution and gratuity accrual.