The UAE has 12 official statutory paid public holiday days in 2026, rising to 13 if Ramadan completed 30 days. All dates are confirmed by official MOHRE circulars and verified against UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and the UAE Government legislation at uaelegislation.gov.ae. This guide covers every confirmed date, long weekend planning, the Cabinet transfer rule, and your exact legal rights if your employer asks you to work on a public holiday.
Official sources used in this guide: UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 at uaelegislation.gov.ae, the UAE Government official public holidays page at u.ae, and official MOHRE circulars at mohre.gov.ae. Islamic holiday dates are confirmed by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee and implemented through official MOHRE circulars for the private sector.
UAE Public Holidays 2026 — Official Confirmed Dates
| Holiday | Official Date | Day | Statutory Days | Hijri Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | 1 day | Fixed Gregorian | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 19 to March 21, 2026 | Thursday to Saturday | 3 days (4 if Ramadan = 30 days) | 1 to 3 Shawwal | Confirmed by moon sighting |
| Arafat Day | May 26, 2026 | Tuesday | 1 day | 9 Dhu Al Hijjah | Confirmed by moon sighting |
| Eid Al Adha | May 27 to May 29, 2026 | Wednesday to Friday | 3 days | 10 to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah | Confirmed by moon sighting |
| Islamic New Year | June 15, 2026 | Monday | 1 day | 1 Muharram 1448 AH | Confirmed by moon sighting |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | August 28, 2026 | Friday | 1 day | 12 Rabi Al Awwal (transferred from Tue Aug 25) | Confirmed — Cabinet transferred |
| UAE National Day | December 2 and 3, 2026 | Wednesday and Thursday | 2 days | Fixed Gregorian | Confirmed |
Commemoration Day — December 1, 2026 (Tuesday)
Commemoration Day is observed nationally as a day of honour for UAE soldiers who have fallen in service to the country. However, under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the statutory paid days off in December are consolidated under UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on December 2 and 3. Commemoration Day on December 1 is not listed as an independent statutory paid public holiday in the federal resolution. The official paid holiday block in December 2026 begins on Wednesday December 2. Some older HR guides and third-party calendars still list December 1 as a paid holiday — this reflects previous practice under the repealed 2019 resolution, not the current law.
Every Holiday Explained
New Year’s Day — January 1, 2026 (Thursday)
New Year’s Day is a fixed Gregorian statutory public holiday confirmed by MOHRE for the private sector. In 2026 it fell on a Thursday — one statutory paid day off. Combined with the Friday and Saturday that follow, employees had a natural three-day break from Thursday January 1 through Saturday January 3. Employees who took one day of annual leave on Friday January 2 extended this into a four-day break from Thursday January 1 through Sunday January 4. This was officially announced by MOHRE as a paid public holiday for private sector employees.
Eid Al Fitr — March 19 to 21, 2026
Eid Al Fitr (1 to 3 Shawwal) marks the end of Ramadan. The official MOHRE circular for the private sector confirmed Thursday March 19 through Saturday March 21, 2026 as the paid Eid Al Fitr holiday. This is three statutory paid days off (1 Shawwal to 3 Shawwal). Federal government entities received a slightly longer period but the statutory private sector entitlement is March 19 to 21.
An additional holiday day applies on 30 Ramadan if Ramadan completes 30 days, which would add Wednesday March 18 as an official paid holiday for both sectors. Whether Ramadan 2026 completed 29 or 30 days was determined by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee.
Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, Eid Al Fitr is explicitly excluded from the mid-week holiday transfer rule. Its dates remain tied to the Hijri lunar calendar and cannot be moved by Cabinet decision.
Arafat Day — May 26, 2026 (Tuesday)
Arafat Day (9 Dhu Al Hijjah) fell on Tuesday May 26, 2026. This day marks the central day of the Hajj pilgrimage when pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. It is one statutory paid public holiday day and it falls immediately before Eid Al Adha, creating the longest break of 2026 when combined with the subsequent holiday days and weekend.
Eid Al Adha — May 27 to May 29, 2026
Eid Al Adha (10 to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah), the Feast of Sacrifice, ran from Wednesday May 27 through Friday May 29, 2026. Together with Arafat Day on Tuesday May 26 and the Saturday and Sunday weekend, this created the longest break of 2026 — six consecutive days off from Tuesday May 26 through Sunday May 31 with zero annual leave required. Like Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha is explicitly excluded from the Cabinet holiday transfer rule.
Islamic New Year — June 15, 2026 (Monday)
Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448 AH) was officially confirmed by MOHRE as Monday June 15, 2026 as a paid public holiday for private sector employees. Falling on a Monday, it created a natural three-day weekend from Saturday June 13 through Monday June 15 with no annual leave required.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday — August 28, 2026 (Friday)
The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falls on 12 Rabi Al Awwal in the Hijri calendar. In 2026 the actual Hijri date fell on Tuesday August 25, following the confirmed start of Rabi Al Awwal on August 14. Under the transfer authority in UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the UAE Cabinet officially transferred the public holiday from Tuesday August 25 to Friday August 28, 2026. This was announced through official MOHRE and UAE Government Media Office channels and confirmed by Khaleej Times and Gulf Business reporting on official announcements.
The transfer to Friday August 28 created a three-day weekend from Friday August 28 through Sunday August 30 for both private sector and government employees. Work resumed on Monday August 31.
UAE National Day — December 2 and 3, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday)
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. It is designated as two statutory paid public holiday days on December 2 and December 3 under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. In 2026 these fall on Wednesday and Thursday — two statutory paid days off. Combined with the Saturday and Sunday weekend, this creates a four-day break from Wednesday December 2 through Saturday December 5. Employees who take one day of annual leave on Friday December 4 extend this into a five-day break from Wednesday December 2 through Sunday December 6. Note that Commemoration Day on December 1 is not a statutory paid holiday, so the official paid holiday block begins on December 2.
Commemoration Day on December 1 is observed nationally but is not a separate statutory paid public holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The statutory paid days off in December are consolidated under UAE National Day on December 2 and 3.
Long Weekend Planner 2026
| Holiday Period | Official Paid Days | Total Consecutive Days Off | Annual Leave Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 (Thu) | 3 days — Thu to Sat (4 days Thu to Sun with 1 leave day on Fri Jan 2) | 0 days (1 optional for 4-day break) |
| Eid Al Fitr | Mar 19 to 21 (Thu to Sat) | 4 days — Thu to Sun (+ 1 day if Ramadan = 30 days) | 0 days |
| Arafat Day + Eid Al Adha | May 26 to 29 (Tue to Fri) | 6 days — Tue to Sun | 0 days |
| Islamic New Year | Jun 15 (Mon) | 3 days — Sat to Mon | 0 days |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Aug 28 (Fri — transferred) | 3 days — Fri to Sun | 0 days |
| UAE National Day | Dec 2 to 3 (Wed to Thu) | 4 days — Wed to Sat (5 days Wed to Sun with 1 leave day on Fri Dec 4) | 0 days (1 optional for 5-day break) |
2026 is an exceptional year for UAE expats.
Most UAE public holidays in 2026 connect naturally to the weekend with zero annual leave. Key breaks at a glance:
Arafat Day plus Eid Al Adha (May 26 to 31): 6 consecutive days — 0 leave needed.
Eid Al Fitr (Mar 19 to 22): 4 consecutive days — 0 leave needed.
Prophet’s Birthday (Aug 28 to 30): 3 consecutive days — 0 leave needed.
Islamic New Year (Jun 13 to 15): 3 consecutive days — 0 leave needed.
National Day (Dec 2 to 6): 5 consecutive days — 1 leave day on Fri Dec 4 needed.
New Year’s Day (Jan 1 to 4): 4 consecutive days — 1 leave day on Fri Jan 2 needed.
Total statutory paid holiday days: 12 (or 13 if Ramadan completed 30 days).
How UAE Public Holidays Are Set — The Legal Framework
UAE public holidays are governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, replacing the earlier 2019 resolution. Here is how the system works:
The Seven Statutory Holiday Occasions
The resolution defines exactly seven public holiday occasions applicable to both the public and private sectors. These are: New Year’s Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, and UAE National Day. No other occasion including Commemoration Day is listed as a statutory paid holiday under this resolution.
How Islamic Holiday Dates Are Set
Islamic holidays are determined according to moon sighting as stated on the official UAE Government public holidays page at u.ae. The UAE Moon Sighting Committee meets and confirms the start of each Hijri month. MOHRE then issues official circulars fixing the exact Gregorian dates for the private sector. By mid-2026 all five Islamic holiday occasions had been confirmed through official circulars.
The Holiday Transfer Rule
Under Article 2 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the UAE Cabinet has authority to transfer non-Eid mid-week public holidays to either Monday (start of working week) or Friday (end of working week) to create three-day weekends. This rule applies to Islamic New Year and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday but not to Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, which are explicitly excluded. The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 2026 is a confirmed example of this rule in action — transferred from Tuesday August 25 to Friday August 28.
Weekend Overlaps
Under Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, if an official public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday it is not automatically transferred to a working day and no compensatory day off is granted. Employees do not receive a day in lieu when a holiday falls on a weekend day unless the UAE Cabinet issues a specific separate decree. This means the statutory holiday is simply lost if it coincides with a weekend.
Your Rights on UAE Public Holidays — Article 28
Every UAE private sector employee is entitled to a paid day off on all official public holidays under Article 28 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. This applies regardless of nationality, salary, or industry across all seven emirates and all free zones.
If your employer requires you to work on an official public holiday they must fulfil one of these two statutory options. These are distinct and separate — your employer cannot combine or reduce either without your consent:
- Option 1 — Substitute day off: A compensatory day off in lieu for each public holiday day worked, taken by mutual agreement with your employer.
- Option 2 — Holiday pay: Your full normal daily wage for the day worked plus an additional holiday allowance equal to at least 50% of your basic salary for that day.
If your employer refuses to honour your public holiday entitlement, file a complaint with MOHRE at mohre.gov.ae or call 800 60. The Ministry provides free mediation and has authority to enforce compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many statutory paid public holidays do UAE private sector employees get in 2026?
Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, private sector employees are entitled to 12 statutory paid public holiday days in 2026. This rises to 13 days if Ramadan completed 30 days in 2026, adding the 30th of Ramadan as an additional paid holiday day. These figures come directly from the official UAE legislation at uaelegislation.gov.ae.
Is Commemoration Day December 1 a paid public holiday in 2026?
Commemoration Day on December 1 is observed nationally as a day of honour for UAE soldiers, but it is not listed as an independent statutory paid public holiday under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The statutory paid days off in December are consolidated under UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on December 2 and 3. Some older calendars still list December 1 as a paid holiday — this reflects practice under the previous 2019 resolution which has been repealed. Under current federal law, the first statutory paid holiday day in December 2026 is Wednesday December 2.
Why was the Prophet’s Birthday moved to August 28 instead of August 25?
The actual Hijri date of 12 Rabi Al Awwal fell on Tuesday August 25, 2026. Under Article 2 of UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the Cabinet has authority to transfer non-Eid mid-week holidays to Monday or Friday to create long weekends. The UAE Cabinet used this authority to move the official public holiday to Friday August 28, 2026, creating a three-day weekend from Friday August 28 through Sunday August 30.
What is the longest public holiday break in the UAE in 2026?
The longest break is the Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha combination. Arafat Day fell on Tuesday May 26 and Eid Al Adha ran from Wednesday May 27 through Friday May 29. Combined with the Saturday and Sunday weekend, this gave six consecutive days off from Tuesday May 26 through Sunday May 31. No annual leave was required.
Do UAE public holidays apply to free zone employees?
Yes. Federal public holidays apply across all seven emirates including all free zones. Some free zones may observe additional local holidays. Employees in free zones should confirm their full entitlement with their employer or free zone authority in addition to the federal statutory minimum.
What if I work on a UAE public holiday — what am I owed?
Under Article 28 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, your employer must give you either a substitute day off in lieu or your full daily wage plus an additional holiday allowance of at least 50% of your basic salary. These are two separate options. Your employer cannot reduce or combine them. File a complaint with MOHRE at mohre.gov.ae or call 800 60 if your employer fails to comply.
Are UAE public holidays the same across all seven emirates?
Yes. The federal public holiday calendar under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 applies uniformly across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. Local governments may announce additional emirate-specific observances but cannot reduce the statutory federal entitlement.
When is the next UAE public holiday after August 2026?
After the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday on Friday August 28, the next statutory paid public holiday is UAE National Day on Wednesday December 2 and Thursday December 3, 2026. Note that Commemoration Day on December 1 is not a statutory paid holiday under current federal legislation.
“Planning to work in Qatar? Read our Qatar Public Holidays 2026 guide.“
Legal sources: UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 at uaelegislation.gov.ae. UAE Government official public holidays page at u.ae. MOHRE official circulars at mohre.gov.ae. UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 28. All Islamic holiday dates confirmed by official MOHRE circulars following UAE Moon Sighting Committee confirmation. Last updated: August 27, 2026.
