UAE Public Holidays 2026
Planning ahead is one of the smartest ways to enjoy more time off without using too many annual leave days. With the 2026 UAE public holiday calendar now predicted, residents can already start preparing for long breaks, family trips, or staycations.
By strategically combining annual leave with official holidays, you can turn just 9 days of leave into an incredible 38 days off in 2026. This method is completely lawful and commonly used by UAE employees—especially those who plan early.
In this guide, we explain the public holiday schedule for 2026, how to create long breaks using minimal leave, and what the UAE Labour Law says about annual leave and “sandwich leave”. As a Dubai law firm with decades of experience, we break it down in simple English for quick and easy reading.
| Public Holiday | Take Leave | Public Leave | Total Leave |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | Fri Jan 1 | Thu, Jan 1 | 4 days |
Eid Al Fitr | Mar 16–19 (4 days), return Mon, Mar 23 | Fri, Mar 20 – Sun, Mar 22 (3 days) | 7 days |
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha | Mon, May 25 | Tue, May 26, Wed, May 27 – Fri, May 29 | 9 days |
Islamic New Year | Thu, June 18 and Fri, June 19 | Wed, June 17 | 5 days |
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday | Mon, August 24 | Tue, August 25 | 4 days |
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | Nov 30, Dec 1, and Dec 4 | Wed, Dec 2 & Thu, Dec 3 (2 days) | 9 days |
Official UAE Public Holidays in 2026
The UAE has seven official public holidays as outlined under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024. Islamic holiday dates are based on predictions from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD), and final dates may shift depending on moon sighting.
Below, you will find how each public holiday can be combined with annual leave days to maximise your time off.
1. New Year’s Day
Holiday date: Thursday, January 1
Take leave on: Friday, January 2
Break length: 4 days
New Year’s Day falls mid-week, and using just one annual leave day gives you a four-day weekend, including Saturday and Sunday. This is a great way to start the year with a refreshing break.
2. Eid Al Fitr
Predicted holiday dates: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22 (3 days)
Take leave: March 16–19 (4 days), return Monday, March 23
Break length: 7 days
If you take four days off before the Eid holidays, you get a seven-day holiday. This is ideal for travel, especially for destinations requiring a longer flight time.
Using annual leave before a public holiday is one of the easiest ways to stretch your break.
3. Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha
Predicted dates:
- Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26
- Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, May 27 – Friday, May 29
Take leave on: Monday, May 25
Break length: 9 days
This is one of the longest possible breaks in 2026. By booking just one annual leave day—Monday, May 25—you can enjoy nine consecutive days off when combining the weekends before and after the holiday.
Many employees prefer to take extended family trips during this period.
4. Islamic New Year
Holiday date: Wednesday, June 17
Take leave: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19
Break length: 5 days
Islamic New Year falls mid-week, offering another great opportunity for a long break. With only two leave days, you can enjoy a five-day holiday including the weekend.
5. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
Predicted holiday date: Tuesday, August 25
Take leave: Monday, August 24
Break length: 4 days
Taking Monday off allows you to extend the public holiday into a four-day weekend. This is a useful break during the hotter months, when residents often take short getaways or enjoy indoor activities.
6. UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
Official dates: Wednesday, December 2 & Thursday, December 3 (2 days)
Take leave: November 30, December 1, and December 4
Break length: 9 days
To close the year, you can create another nine-day break by adding annual leave around the long National Day holiday. This is one of the most celebrated times of the year in the UAE, making it perfect for end-of-year vacations.
Final Calculation for 2026
| Category | Total Days |
|---|---|
| Public holiday days | 13 days |
| Annual leave used | Only 9 days |
| Total days off | 38 days |
With early planning, you can enjoy nearly 40 days off while using less than half of a typical annual leave balance.
What Is “Sandwich Leave” in the UAE?
The UAE Labour Law addresses how public holidays interact with annual leave.
According to Article 29(7) of the UAE Federal Labour Law:
“The holidays prescribed by law or by agreement are included in the calculation of the annual leave period if they fall within the annual leave of the worker and they form a part thereof, unless the employment contract or the regulations in force at the establishment provide for anything that is more useful for the worker.”
This concept is commonly known as sandwich leave.
What does this mean in simple words?
If you take annual leave and a public holiday falls during that leave period, the holiday still counts as part of your annual leave—unless your company policy gives you a more favourable arrangement.
For example:
If you apply for leave from March 18–22, and Eid Al Fitr falls on March 20–22, those days are not added to your leave balance unless your company policy says otherwise.
This is why early planning matters. Knowing where holidays fall helps you avoid losing leave days unnecessarily.
Three Important Tips for Managing Your Annual Leave
1. Plan and request leave early
Many people wait until the holiday dates are officially announced. However, employers—especially large organisations—often plan staffing months ahead. Submitting your request early improves your chances of approval.
2. Use official company channels
Always apply for leave through your HR portal, email system, or attendance software. This ensures transparency and creates a clear record of approval.
3. Stay flexible when needed
Your employer may reject certain dates due to operational needs. Being open to adjustments helps maintain a positive working relationship and increases the chances of approval next time.
Common Reasons Leave May Be Rejected
Understanding why annual leave requests get declined can help you plan better:
1. Operational Requirements
Critical roles may face restrictions during peak periods, such as:
- year-end reporting
- financial closing cycles
- major business events
Employers must ensure business continuity.
2. Overlapping Leave Requests
If several employees apply for the same dates, HR may prioritise:
- employees whose absence has less impact
- first-come, first-served requests
This is why early submission is crucial.
3. Policy Violations
Employers may reject:
- late submissions
- leave requests intended to “bridge” too many holidays
- requests that ignore internal rules
Each company has its own leave policies.
4. Insufficient Leave Balance
If you don’t have enough available leave days, your request cannot be approved. Always check your balance before applying.
Important Notes for UAE Employees
- Calculations in this article assume a Saturday–Sunday weekend.
- Some private companies may observe different weekend structures based on operational needs.
- Islamic holiday dates may shift based on moon sighting.
- Official dates will be confirmed by UAE authorities closer to each holiday.
- Employers have the legal right to defer or decline annual leave for operational reasons, but they must inform employees in writing.
Always check your company’s HR policy and employment contract for specific rules on annual leave.
Conclusion: Start Planning Your 2026 Leave Now
With only 9 annual leave days, you can enjoy an impressive 38 days off in 2026. The key is simple: plan early, understand UAE public holiday patterns, and apply through official channels.
Whether you are planning family trips, long breaks, or simply a series of well-timed staycations, this strategy helps you make the most of your benefits while staying fully compliant with UAE labour laws.
If you need tailored advice on annual leave policies, employment contracts, or labour law compliance in the UAE, our legal team in Dubai can assist you.
