What is a public holiday in UAE?

A public holiday in the UAE is an officially recognized day when work is suspended across the public and private sectors. These holidays are declared by the UAE government to commemorate significant national, religious, or cultural events. On these days, employees are entitled to time off to celebrate occasions such as Eid Al Fitr, National Day, or New Year’s Day. Public holidays play a key role in promoting social unity and work-life balance and are treated separately from annual leave or other types of leave entitlement in the UAE.

How many public holidays are there in UAE each year?

The total number of public holidays in the UAE varies each year depending on the Islamic lunar calendar and official moon sightings. However, most years include around 13–15 days off, grouped under 6 to 8 holiday periods. These holidays apply to all employees, and their impact is also reflected in payroll processing and attendance tracking.

Here’s the tentative list of UAE public holidays for 2025:

• New Year’s Day – 1 January.
• Eid Al Fitr – 29 March to 1 April.
• Arafat Day – 5 June.
• Eid Al Adha – 6 to 8 June.
• Islamic New Year – 26 June.
• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday – 4 September.
• Commemoration Day – 1 December.
• UAE National Day – 2 December

Who decides the official public holiday dates in the UAE?

All official public holidays are set and announced by the UAE Cabinet. For holidays tied to the Hijri (Islamic) calendar, such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, the Cabinet consults religious authorities to confirm dates based on moon sightings. Fixed-date holidays, like National Day, follow the Gregorian calendar. Once approved, the holiday calendar applies across all Emirates, ensuring consistency.

Are public holidays mandatory days off in the UAE?

Yes, public holidays are compulsory leave days for employees in both public and private sectors. Under UAE Labour Law, employers must grant these days as paid leave. If a business requires employees to work on a public holiday (common in retail, healthcare, or hospitality) they must offer compensatory time off or additional pay, often handled through payroll systems.

Are UAE public holidays considered paid leave?

Yes. Public holidays in the UAE are fully paid leave days. Employees who are required to work on these days are entitled to compensation in the form of a substitute day off or overtime pay, depending on the company’s policy and the UAE Labour Law. This is distinct from annual leave accrual and helps ensure transparency in salary calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are public holidays the same in all Emirates?

All seven Emirates observe the same official public holidays as mandated by the UAE Cabinet, ensuring nationwide consistency regardless of region. There may be rare local adjustments or announcements by individual emirates for special occasions, but federal holidays are unified under national law.

What is the difference between a public holiday and annual leave?

Public holidays are paid, government-declared days off for all employees and do not count against annual leave. Annual leave is paid time off accrued monthly, used for personal purposes and subject to employer approval. Public holidays are separate from and in addition to annual leave.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

If a public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), it is typically moved to the next working day (usually Monday), allowing employees to benefit from a full day off in lieu. This policy applies to the public and private sectors and is intended to maximize time off for workers.

Is Eid Al Fitr a public holiday in the UAE?

Yes, Eid Al Fitr is an official public holiday throughout the UAE, observed by both the public and private sectors. The holiday period marks the end of Ramadan and typically runs for multiple days, which are announced each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar and moon sightings.

What are the UAE public holidays for 2025?

The official UAE public holidays for 2025 (final dates subject to lunar observation for Islamic holidays) are listed in the blog.