UAE Public Holidays 2026: Complete List & Employee Rights

UAE Public Holidays 2026: Full List

The following are the official public holidays for the UAE in 2026. Note that Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and their exact dates are confirmed annually by the UAE government based on moon sighting. The dates below reflect the expected timing.

* Islamic holiday dates are subject to moon sighting confirmation by UAE authorities. Official dates are announced by the government typically 1–3 days in advance. Always check MOHRE or official UAE government announcements for confirmed dates.

Public vs. Private Sector: Are the Holidays the Same?

Not always. UAE federal government employees typically receive the official holiday list as defined by the Federal HR Authority. Private sector employees are entitled to the same official holidays under UAE Labor Law, but the specific days off may be aligned differently depending on the employer's scheduling.

In practice, most UAE employers follow the official holiday calendar. However, some industries — particularly retail, hospitality, and healthcare — may require employees to work on public holidays due to operational needs. In such cases, specific compensation rules apply (see below).

Your Rights When Asked to Work on a Public Holiday

Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, if your employer requires you to work on an official public holiday, you are entitled to one of the following — at the employer's discretion:

Your employer cannot simply refuse to compensate you for working on a public holiday and cannot reduce your regular pay in exchange. If this happens, it is a labor violation that can be reported to MOHRE.

Ramadan Working Hours

During the holy month of Ramadan, all employees in the UAE — Muslim and non-Muslim alike — are entitled to reduced working hours. By law, the standard working day is reduced by 2 hours during Ramadan.

For a standard 8-hour workday, this means 6 hours during Ramadan. Employers cannot require employees to work the standard full hours during Ramadan without providing overtime compensation.

Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around 19 February 2026, though the official start date will be confirmed by the UAE moon sighting committee.

Do Public Holidays Affect Gratuity Calculation?

Public holidays do not reduce your gratuity entitlement. They are counted as part of your continuous service period. Your total length of service for gratuity purposes includes all calendar days — weekdays, weekends, annual leave days, sick leave days, and public holidays.

The only days that are deducted from your service period for gratuity purposes are days of unpaid leave (leave without pay). All other absences, including authorized sick leave and annual leave, count as service days.

Public Holidays During Your Notice Period

If a public holiday falls during your notice period, it counts as part of the notice period — it does not extend it. For example, if you have a 30-day notice period and two public holidays fall within it, you still serve 30 calendar days total, not 32.

However, you are still entitled to not work (or receive compensation if you do) on any public holiday that falls during your notice period, just as you would during normal employment.