Public holidays and the best leave days
| Holiday | Date | Without leave | Best use of annual leave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | Wed 2 Dec 2026 to Thu 3 Dec 2026 | 2 days off: Wed 2 Dec 2026 to Thu 3 Dec 2026 | Take 1 day off (Fri 4 Dec 2026) and get 5 days: Wed 2 Dec 2026 to Sun 6 Dec 2026 |
| New Year's Day | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | 3 days off: Fri 1 Jan 2027 to Sun 3 Jan 2027 | No leave needed, or none that helps |
| Eid Al Fitr 1 to 3 Shawwal, estimated | Tue 9 Mar 2027 to Thu 11 Mar 2027 | 3 days off: Tue 9 Mar 2027 to Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Take 1 day off (Fri 12 Mar 2027) and get 6 days: Tue 9 Mar 2027 to Sun 14 Mar 2027 |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 9 to 12 Dhul Hijjah, estimated | Sat 15 May 2027 to Tue 18 May 2027 | 4 days off: Sat 15 May 2027 to Tue 18 May 2027 | Take 3 days off (Wed 19 May 2027, Thu 20 May 2027, Fri 21 May 2027) and get 9 days: Sat 15 May 2027 to Sun 23 May 2027 |
| Hijri New Year 1 Muharram, estimated | Sun 6 Jun 2027 | 2 days off: Sat 5 Jun 2027 to Sun 6 Jun 2027 | No leave needed, or none that helps |
| Prophet Muhammad's birthday 12 Rabi Al Awwal, estimated | Sat 14 Aug 2027 | 2 days off: Sat 14 Aug 2027 to Sun 15 Aug 2027 | No leave needed, or none that helps |
| Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | Thu 2 Dec 2027 to Fri 3 Dec 2027 | 4 days off: Thu 2 Dec 2027 to Sun 5 Dec 2027 | Take 3 days off (Mon 29 Nov 2027, Tue 30 Nov 2027, Wed 1 Dec 2027) and get 9 days: Sat 27 Nov 2027 to Sun 5 Dec 2027 |
The weekend is Saturday and Sunday. Islamic holidays follow the moon: we show the Umm al-Qura calendar dates, and the official day can move by one day. The Cabinet can also move a holiday that isn't an Eid to the start or end of the week.
How UAE public holidays work
- Public and private sector employees get the same paid public holidays, set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024.
- The fixed days are New Year's Day (1 January) and Eid Al Etihad (2 and 3 December).
- The Islamic holidays are Eid Al Fitr (1 to 3 Shawwal), Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha (9 to 12 Dhul Hijjah), Hijri New Year (1 Muharram) and the Prophet's birthday (12 Rabi Al Awwal).
- Working on a public holiday earns you another day off, or your wage for the day plus at least 50% of basic pay.
- Public holidays don't come out of your annual leave. See how much leave you have with the UAE leave salary calculator.
Questions people ask
When is the next public holiday in the UAE?
Eid Al Etihad (National Day) on 2 and 3 December 2026. Take Friday 4 December off and you get five days in a row, Wednesday to Sunday.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027 in the UAE?
Expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027, with the holiday running to Thursday 11 March, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar. The exact day depends on the moon sighting, announced the evening before.
Do private sector employees get the same holidays as government staff?
Yes. Since 2019 the UAE has one list of public holidays for the public and private sectors, now set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The Cabinet can move a holiday (other than the Eids) to the start or end of the week, so watch for announcements.
What happens if I work on a public holiday?
Under the Labour Law your employer must give you another day off, or pay you your wage for that day plus at least 50% of your basic wage.
More money calculators
Estimates, not advice. Our calculators follow the published rules as we understand them (checked October 2026), but they are not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules change and your contract, bank or free zone may differ. Confirm with the labour ministry, the tax authority, your bank or a licensed adviser before you act. Full disclaimer