UAE holidays 2026: How to get 45 days off with just 17 of annual leave, expected Eid dates revealed

The Gregorian New Year is just one of many official public holidays legislated in Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 Concerning the Public Holidays in the State in the UAE. The ruling identifies the official UAE holidays observed across the country every year.

The UAE has announced prospective holiday dates for occasions such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and National Day in 2026.

UAE holidays in 2026

By booking annual leave strategically, it will be possible to have 45 days off and multiple full weeks vacation for just a few days of annual leave.

Every UAE employee is entitled to at least two days of paid leave for each month working in the country. That’s 24 days of paid annual leave. Follow this guide to maximise UAE holiday time.

According to the UAE Government, the following is the full list of public holidays remaining this year:

• Eid Al Fitr 2025: Shawwal 1-3
• Arafat Day 2025: Dhu Al Hijjah 9
• Eid Al Adha 2025: Dhu Al Hijjah 10-12
• Islamic New Year 2025: Muharram 1
• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: Rabi Al Awwal 12
• Eid Al Etihad 2025: December 2-3

Booking annual leave carefully, and strategically choosing days off around 2026 UAE national holidays, can effectively double time off if weekends are taken into account.

All calculations are based on the assumption of having two full days off for weekends on a Saturday and Sunday in the UAE.

2026 UAE public holiday dates are subject to moon-sightings and may change or be confirmed by the Government in advance of the date. Subscribe to Arabian Business to receive notifications when official holidays are announced.

Eid Al Fitr 2026

In 2026, Ramadan could start on Tuesday, February 17. However, it is subject to change based on relevant moon sightings in the UAE and official confirmation by the Government.

Following Ramadan, the Eid Al Fitr holiday will be either three or four days. The UAE Cabinet has declared the first three days of Shawwal will be holidays. In the event that Ramadan lasts for 30 days, Ramadan 30 will also be given as a public holiday.

It is expected that the corresponding dates will see Eid Al Fitr 2026 falling on Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22.

Plan carefully and you can have a long vacation, with minimal annual leave used up.

Book Monday, March 16 to Thursday, March 19 off from work to get the longest possible break for the fewest days.

If Eid Al Fitr falls as expected, you will be out of your workplace for nine consecutive days and use only four days of your annual leave allowance.

• Dates out of office: Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 22
• Number of days annual leave used: Four

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2026

The next holiday announced by the UAE for 2026 will be Arafat Day. This is forecast to take place on the ninth day of Dhul Hijja.

In 2026 this is expected to be on Tuesday, May 26. It has been announced as a national holiday in the UAE and will be immediately followed by Eid Al Adha.

This will fall between Dhul Hijja 10 and 12, which is expected to correspond to Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29.

If your employer gives each of these days off and the dates fall as expected, then booking Monday, May 25 as a holiday would give maximum returns for the fewest possible days of annual leave entitlement.

One day of annual leave will result in nine consecutive days out of work.

• Dates out of office: Saturday, May 23 –Sunday, May 31
• Number of days annual leave used: One

Hijri New Year 2026

Also known as the Islamic New Year, this holiday marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year.

The holiday is dependent on the moon-sighting and, in 2026 is likely to fall on Tuesday, June 16.

According to UAE legislation, with the exception of Eid Holidays, the Cabinet transfer any public holidays to the beginning or end of the week.

So, despite this being a midweek holiday, it is still possible to plan an extended break or hope for a long weekend.

With flexibility and support from your employer, it is possible to take the one-day holiday and manufacture a nine-day break.

Book off four days between Monday, June 15 and Friday, June 19 and, when combined with the one-day holiday, you will have nine consecutive days out of work for a mere four days of annual leave.

• Dates out of office: Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 21
• Number of days annual leave used: Four

Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday 2026

The UAE has already announced Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday as a holiday in 2026.

It will fall on Rabi Al Awwal 12, which is expected to correspond to Tuesday, August 25.

Once again, with the support and flexibility of employers, a single day of holiday can be transformed into an extended break. This is a further vacation date that could be moved by  the UAE Cabinet to the start or end of the week to create a long weekend.

Arrange to take four further days between Monday, August 24 and Friday, August 28 in addition to the official public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday 2026 and this will be a further nine consecutive days out of the office and use up just four days of annual leave.

• Dates out of office: Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 30
• Number of days annual leave used: Four

Eid Al Etihad/UAE National Day 2026

In the UAE National Day, now known as Eid Al Etihad, will be celebrated with a two-day mid-week holiday on Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3, 2025.

With the break happening in the middle of the week there will not be a long weekend, but savvy holiday booking around this time can still give an extended vacation towards the end of the year.

Take annual leave days, booking Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1 as well as Friday, December 4 and another nine-day holiday can be accrued using just three days of annual leave.

• Dates out of office: Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, December 6
• Number of days annual leave used: Four

Public holidays cannot be transferred to another day in the event they coincide with another public holiday or fall on the weekend. However, local governments in the UAE may determine other public holidays for its own government departments and corporations on any occasions related to it or for any other reason.