Are UAE public holidays transferable on weekends?
UAE’s public holiday rules, including official dates and when holidays can be transferred
Dubai: At the beginning of this year, the UAE’s new legislation for public holidays – Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 Concerning the Public Holidays – came into effect. There are a few rules you need to understand regarding how holidays are determined in the UAE.
Here’s a quick rundown of what the Cabinet Resolution sets out:
Transfer of official holidays
With the exception of Eid holidays, the Cabinet may – pursuant to a resolution it issues – transfer any of the public holidays to the beginning or end of the week.
Public holidays cannot be transferred to another day if they coincide with another public holiday or fall on the weekend.
For example, the UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) holiday has a fixed date on 2 and 3 December. There is the possibility of a five-day break if the UAE Government announces Monday, 1 December as an additional day off, effectively extending the weekend from Friday, 28 November to Wednesday, 3 December. However, this will only be confirmed closer to the time.
Official public holidays in the UAE
Public holidays for both the public and private sector are as follows:
Gregorian New Year – 1 day
Eid Al-Fitr – 3 days (if the Month of Ramadan completes 30 days, day 30 of Ramadan will be deemed an official holiday and added to the Eid Al-Fitr break)
Arafa Day – 1 day
Eid Al-Adha – 3 days
Hijri New Year – 1 day
Prophet's Birthday – 1 day
National Day – 2 days
How UAE public holidays are determined
Under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, the UAE Cabinet holds the authority to move public holidays, except for Eid holidays, to either the start or end of the workweek.
In addition, local governments may declare extra holidays for specific occasions or administrative purposes.
Key points include:
Gregorian calendar holidays, such as New Year’s Day and National Day, follow fixed dates.
Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and depend on official moon sightings.
Local governments may also determine other public holidays not stipulated in this Resolution, for their own government departments and corporations, either for specific occasions or for any other reason.
Upcoming public holidays in the UAE for 2025
UAE residents have just two more public holidays to look forward to before the end of 2025. The next holiday is expected as early as next month, with the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) anticipated to fall on Thursday, 4 September.
The year concludes with mid-week holidays on 2 and 3 December to mark UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad). These dates fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday in 2025, potentially creating an extended break for residents.UAE career guide 2025: All 13 work permit options explained
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