UAE public holidays and annual leave rules affect every private-sector employee and employer in the country. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 sets one holiday list for 2026 and 2027, and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 guarantees at least 30 calendar days of paid annual leave, so planning ahead pays off.
Quick answer: UAE private-sector employees get 30 calendar days of paid annual leave after one year of service, plus paid public holidays: 12 days in 2027, or 13 if Ramadan has 30 days. The next public holiday is Eid Al Etihad on 2 and 3 December 2026.
What is the next public holiday in the UAE?
The next public holiday is Eid Al Etihad (National Day) on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. It is a paid holiday for private-sector employees as well as government staff. The following one is New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027, which gives a three-day weekend with Saturday and Sunday.
Editor's note: update this block after each holiday, because it is the first thing readers and search engines look for.
How many public holidays does the UAE have?
The UAE has seven official public holidays totalling 12 days, or 13 if Ramadan lasts 30 days. They come from Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and apply to both sectors.
| Holiday | Date rule | Days |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | 1 |
| Eid Al Fitr | 1 to 3 Shawwal (plus 30 Ramadan if the month has 30 days) | 3 (or 4) |
| Arafat Day | 9 Dhul Hijjah | 1 |
| Eid Al Adha | 10 to 12 Dhul Hijjah | 3 |
| Hijri New Year | 1 Muharram | 1 |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | 12 Rabi Al Awwal | 1 |
| Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | 2 and 3 December | 2 |
What are the UAE public holiday dates for 2027?
New Year's Day and Eid Al Etihad have fixed dates. The Islamic holiday dates below are expected dates and can move by a day after the official moon sighting.
| Holiday | Expected 2027 date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday 1 January | Fixed |
| Eid Al Fitr | Around 8 to 12 March (3 or 4 days) | Expected, depends on moon sighting and whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May | Expected |
| Hijri New Year | Sunday 6 June | Expected |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Saturday 14 August | Expected |
| Eid Al Etihad | Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December | Fixed |
Official announcements usually follow the moon sighting, so check MOHRE and the UAE Government portal before booking travel or setting payroll dates.
Did the UAE public holiday law change?
Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 now sets a standing list of public holidays for both the public and private sectors. The main points:
- One calendar: private-sector employees get the same official holidays as government staff.
- Ramadan 30: when Ramadan lasts 30 days, that day is added as a holiday before the three days of Eid Al Fitr, creating up to a four-day Eid break.
- Moving holidays: the Cabinet can decide to move some holidays to the start or end of the week to create longer breaks [VERIFY which holidays can move].
- Emirate-level extras: extra holidays that an emirate gives its own government departments do not automatically apply to private employers.
For private employers, the labour law adds that employees are entitled to full pay on these days.
What happens if you work on a public holiday or get compensatory leave?
If you must work on an official holiday, your employer must give you another rest day for each day worked, or pay you for that day plus an increase of at least 50 per cent of your basic wage for that day. This is Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Day in lieu and compensatory leave refer to this alternative rest day. Ask payroll how your employer calculates the payment.
How do you turn holidays into longer breaks? The UAE Leave Planner
The UAE Leave Planner is a simple way to see how many days off you get from each annual leave day you use around a holiday. Assuming a Saturday and Sunday weekend, these are illustrative examples:
| Holiday | Annual leave days to take | Consecutive days off |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Al Etihad 2026 (Wed 2 to Thu 3 Dec) | Friday 4 December (1 day) | 5 (Wed to Sun) |
| Eid Al Adha 2027 (expected Sat 15 to Tue 18 May) | Wed 19 to Fri 21 May (3 days) | 9 (Sat 15 to Sun 23 May) |
Companies on a different weekend pattern will get different results, and expected 2027 dates may shift by a day.
How much annual leave do you get under UAE labour law?
Private-sector employees get at least 30 days of paid annual leave for each year of service, under Article 29 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The 30 days are calendar days, not working days.
| Length of service | Annual leave entitlement |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | No statutory entitlement (the employer may grant leave) |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 days for each month of service |
| 1 year or more | 30 days for each year |
| Part-time | Pro rata to hours worked, as set in the contract |
| Leaving mid-year | Leave for the part of the last year worked, if unused |
Illustrative example: an employee with 9 months of service has accrued about 18 days (2 days x 9 months). Your employer's policy and the Executive Regulation set the details.
What are the rules on scheduling, carry-forward and payout?
The law protects both sides, with these key rules from Article 29:
- Scheduling: you should take leave in the year it is earned. Your employer can set the dates to suit the business, in agreement with you or on a rotation, and must give you at least one month's notice.
- Carry-forward: with employer approval and under company rules, you can carry some or all of your balance to the next year. The Executive Regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022) sets conditions, so confirm any cap with HR [VERIFY].
- Two-year limit: an employer cannot stop you using leave for more than two years, unless you choose to carry it forward or take a cash allowance under company rules.
- Full pay: you receive your wage during annual leave.
- On leaving: you are paid for unused leave days when you leave. Ask HR which wage the payout uses, because practice differs [VERIFY].
- Probation: the employer may agree to grant leave during probation, and you keep the right to pay for the unused balance if you do not pass.
- Notice periods: if either side ends the contract during your leave, the notice period starts the day after you are due back.
Do public holidays during your leave count as leave days? Article 29(7) says holidays that fall inside annual leave are included in the leave period unless your contract or company rules are more favourable. Advisers read this differently, and many employers do not deduct them. Check your contract and HR policy first, and ask MOHRE if there is a dispute [VERIFY].
What other leave does UAE law give private-sector employees?
| Leave type | Entitlement (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) |
|---|---|
| Sick leave (Art. 31) | After probation, up to 90 days a year: 15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, the rest unpaid. Tell your employer within 3 business days and provide a medical report. |
| Maternity leave (Art. 30) | 60 days: 45 days full pay, then 15 days half pay |
| Parental leave (Art. 32) | 5 working days, to use within 6 months of the child's birth |
| Bereavement leave (Art. 32) | 5 days for a spouse; 3 days for a parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild |
| Study leave (Art. 32) | Up to 10 business days a year for exams, after 2 years of service |
| Marriage leave | Not listed in the law, so it depends on your contract or company policy |
Employees in the DIFC and ADGM free zones are covered by their own employment laws, which have different leave rules.
What should employers do now?
- Publish the 2026 to 2027 holiday calendar and update it after each moon-sighting announcement.
- Align your leave policy with Article 29: one month's notice, a clear carry-forward rule and a written approach to holidays inside leave.
- Track balances monthly, so no employee approaches the two-year limit.
- Set a payroll rule for holiday work: a compensatory day or pay with the 50 per cent increase.
- Make sure employment contracts and handbooks match the law.
Common mistakes
- Assuming holidays vary by emirate for private employers.
- Treating the 30 days as working days.
- Giving less than one month's notice of leave dates.
- Letting leave pile up beyond two years.
- Forgetting that Islamic holiday dates are estimates until announced.
What happens next?
Expect official dates for Eid Al Fitr 2027 around the start of Ramadan, and for Eid Al Adha after the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting. We will update this guide when MOHRE or the Cabinet announces them.
Conclusion
Plan around the next holiday, 2 and 3 December 2026, then use the 2027 calendar to schedule leave early. Know your entitlement under Article 29, get leave dates agreed a month ahead, and keep records that match the law.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of annual leave do you get in the UAE?
Private-sector employees get at least 30 calendar days of paid annual leave for each year of service. Between six and twelve months of service they earn 2 days per month, and below six months there is no statutory entitlement. Contracts can give more.
Do public holidays count as annual leave days?
Article 29(7) says holidays falling inside leave are included in the leave period unless your contract or policy is more favourable. Advisers read it differently, and many employers do not deduct them. Check your contract and HR policy, and ask MOHRE if in doubt.
Can unused annual leave be carried forward or paid out?
Carry-forward needs employer approval and follows company rules and the Executive Regulation. An employer cannot block leave for more than two years unless you choose to carry it forward or take a cash allowance. Unused days are paid when you leave.
Is 1 May (Labour Day) a public holiday in the UAE?
No. Labour Day is not among the seven official public holidays in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. Your employer may still choose to give the day off, so check your contract or company calendar.
Can you take annual leave during probation?
Only if your employer agrees. Article 29 allows the employer to grant leave from your balance during probation. If you do not pass probation, you keep the right to be paid for the rest of your unused leave balance.
Can an employer cancel or refuse annual leave?
An employer can set the dates to suit business needs, in agreement with you or on a rotation, and must give one month's notice. It cannot stop you using your leave for more than two years, so repeated refusals can breach the law.
Is there marriage leave in the UAE?
The federal labour law does not list a marriage leave. Some employers offer it through the employment contract or policy. Check your contract and handbook, and ask HR in writing if it is unclear.
