Official Public Holidays in the UAE (What Employers Need To Know)
.avif)
Official Public Holidays in the UAE (What Employers Need To Know)
Public holidays impact every facet of life, from planning family vacations to managing business operations. In the UAE, these days are especially significant because they reflect the country’s cultural heritage and religious traditions. Whether you’re an employee trying to understand your entitlements or an employer looking to stay compliant, this blog breaks down what you need to know about public holidays in the UAE.
Official Public Holidays in UAE
.avif)
The UAE observes several official public holidays each year, applicable to both the public and private sectors. These holidays are established under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 concerning public holidays in the UAE. The list of holidays reflects the country’s cultural and religious traditions, as well as key national milestones. In addition to fixed holidays, the resolution allows local governments the discretion to determine additional holidays specific to their departments or occasions.
1. Gregorian New Year
The UAE observes the beginning of the new calendar year with a public holiday on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. This day off is recognised across both sectors and gives residents time to spend with family or mark the start of the year.
2. Eid Al-Fitr
One of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan. This year it was celebrated on Sunday, March 30th, 2025 to Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. Under the resolution, the holiday is officially observed from 01 to 03 Shawwal. If Ramadan spans the full 30 days, 30 Ramadan is also declared a public holiday, effectively extending the Eid break to four days. The exact dates vary each year depending on the sighting of the moon. The holiday is usually observed with family and community gatherings.
3. Arafa Day
Observed on 9 Dhul-Hijjah, Arafa Day falls just before Eid Al-Adha and is a significant day in the Islamic calendar, particularly for those undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage. It is recognised nationwide as a one-day public holiday. This year, Arafa was celebrated on Thursday, June 5th, 2025.
4. Eid Al-Adha
Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al-Adha is commemorated from 10 to 12 Dhul-Hijjah, constituting a three-day public holiday. This holiday is observed nationwide, with many residents travelling, spending time with family, or engaging in charitable activities. This year, Eid Al-Adha was celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025 to Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
5. Hijri New Year
The Islamic New Year, marked on 1 Muharram, is observed with a one-day holiday. It marks the beginning of the new Hijri year and is rooted in Islamic history and tradition. This year, the Hijri New Year was celebrated on Friday, June 27th, 2025.
6. Prophet’s Birthday
The UAE honours the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) on 12 Rabi’ Al-Awwal. This is also observed with a one-day holiday, providing residents an opportunity to commemorate the life and teachings of the Prophet. This year, the Prophet’s Birthday will be celebrated on Friday, September 5th, 2025.
7. UAE National Day
2 and 3 December mark the UAE’s National Day, a two-day public holiday that commemorates the unification of the Emirates in 1971. Celebrations often feature official ceremonies, fireworks, and cultural programmes. It reflects national pride and commemorates the country’s unification. This year, UAE National Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 to Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025.
Additional Holidays at Local Level
According to Article 4 of the resolution, local governments have the authority to declare additional public holidays for their respective departments or institutions. These may be linked to local events or specific departmental needs, allowing flexibility in observance.
Balancing Faith, Heritage and Work Culture Through Public Holidays
The public holiday structure in the UAE recognises both religious and national occasions, respecting local traditions and cultural values.
A Localised HR Platform Built for MENA Businesses and Global Teams
Transform your HR operations with Cercli, which is aligned with the UAE’s vision for business excellence. Cercli provides a platform tailored for MENA businesses, unifying workforce management needs in a single system. Manage your team, whether local or international, with the ability to process payments in more than 150 countries. Our solution handles multi-currency payroll, leave management, onboarding, and compliance documentation, all tailored to the specific requirements of the MENA region.
Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the localised expertise and streamlined processes MENA businesses require to grow and manage remote teams effectively. Explore an HR platform designed to support the way you do business in the Middle East. Schedule a demonstration today to speak with our team about our global HR system.
Related Reading
Observing Public Holidays in the UAE
Public holidays in the UAE are culturally and religiously significant, offering communities time for rest and shared observance. For employers and HR professionals, key points in the annual planning cycle must be managed with clarity and compliance.
Under Article 28 of UAE Labour Law No. 33/2021, all employees are entitled to fully paid days off on official public holidays, as outlined by Cabinet resolution. This entitlement applies regardless of the employee’s role or category, helping ensure fair treatment across all levels of employment.
Managing Public Holiday Pay and Workforce Planning in Line with UAE Labour Law
If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, either due to business needs or at the employer’s request, the law is clear about how they must be compensated. The employee is entitled either to a substitute day of rest or to be paid for the day worked, plus an additional payment of at least 50% of their basic salary. This ensures employees are pretty compensated and acknowledges the significance of the holiday.
Ensuring Compliance and Workforce Continuity Through Holiday Planning
For HR teams, having a clear understanding of the official public holidays is essential. Not only does it support legal compliance, but it also enables more effective workforce planning, particularly in sectors that operate around the clock or serve international clients.
Timely communication of holiday schedules, leave policies, and compensation procedures contributes to a well-organised and respectful workplace.
Fostering Workplace Culture Through Respect for UAE Public Holidays
Observing public holidays in line with UAE legislation also reflects positively on company culture. It shows respect for the nation’s traditions and promotes a healthy balance between professional commitments and personal well-being. In a city like Dubai, where businesses operate across various sectors, maintaining this balance is particularly crucial.
Supporting employees during public holidays goes beyond legal compliance. It helps foster a respectful and inclusive workplace that aligns with the UAE's working culture.
Calculating Overtime Pay for Public Holidays
To calculate the overtime pay for working on a public holiday (if no substitute day off is given), the following formula is used:
Basic Salary × 12 ÷ 365 ÷ 8 × Total Overtime Hours × 1.5 = Total Holiday Pay
The multiplier of 1.5 accounts for the regular hourly pay (1.0) plus an additional 50% (0.5) of the basic hourly rate.
Example:
For example, if an employee has a basic salary of AED 3,650 and works eight hours on a public holiday, the calculation would be as follows:
AED 3,650 × 12 ÷ 365 ÷ 8 × 8 × 1.5 = AED 180
Therefore, the employee would receive AED 180 for working on that day, in addition to their regular monthly salary.
Important Consideration
These calculations apply strictly to the basic salary. Allowances such as housing or transport are not included when calculating public holiday pay. Employers must adhere to this structure to remain compliant with the UAE Labour Law. Any violations may be reported to MoHRE for resolution.
Supporting Scalable Workforce Management Across the Middle East
Transform your HR operations with Cercli, which is aligned with the UAE’s vision for business excellence. Cercli provides a platform tailored for MENA businesses, unifying workforce management needs in a single system. Manage your team, whether local or international, with the ability to process payments in more than 150 countries. Our solution handles multi-currency payroll, leave management, onboarding, and compliance documentation, all tailored to the specific requirements of the MENA region.
Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the localised expertise and streamlined processes MENA businesses require to grow and manage remote teams effectively. Explore an HR platform designed to support the way you do business in the Middle East. Schedule a demonstration today to speak with our team about our international HR system.
Related Reading
MoHRE’s Role in Enforcing Employee Rights
.avif)
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) serves as the UAE’s central authority for labour affairs in the private sector, with a clear mandate to protect employee rights and ensure employer compliance, particularly regarding salary payments and overtime compensation.
Salary Payments and Oversight of the WPS
A key area of MoHRE’s enforcement is the Wages Protection System (WPS), which requires businesses registered with the Ministry to pay salaries through approved banks or financial institutions in the UAE. This system enables MoHRE to monitor whether wages are paid accurately and on time.
If wages are not paid within 15 days of the due date, MoHRE considers it a violation of the law. Such delays can result in penalties, company downgrades, and the suspension of new work permits until the issue is resolved. Employees can file salary complaints through the MoHRE smart app, call centre, or Tasheel service centres.
Enforcing Overtime Compensation
MoHRE also ensures that employees are adequately compensated for overtime, in line with UAE Labour Law. This includes compensation for work on public holidays and weekends, provided either as time off in lieu of or additional pay.
When disputes arise over unpaid overtime, MoHRE acts as both mediator and enforcer. The Ministry may summon employers for clarification, demand payment, or escalate the issue to labour courts if necessary.
Complaint Handling and Labour Inspections
MoHRE encourages employees to report concerns such as unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, or compulsory work on official holidays. These complaints are taken seriously and may lead to labour inspections or formal investigations. The Ministry can impose financial penalties and restrict business operations until compliance is achieved.
MoHRE not only sets the framework for fair labour practices but also enforces compliance and helps resolve workplace issues, supporting ethical employment across the UAE.
Book a Demo to Speak with Our Team about Our Global HR System
Transform your HR operations with Cercli, which is aligned with the UAE’s vision for business excellence. Cercli provides a platform tailored for MENA businesses, unifying workforce management needs in a single system. Manage your team, whether local or international, with the ability to process payments in more than 150 countries. Our solution handles multi-currency payroll, leave management, onboarding, and compliance documentation, all tailored to the specific requirements of the MENA region.
Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the localised expertise and streamlined processes MENA businesses require to grow and manage remote teams effectively. Explore an HR platform designed to support the way you do business in the Middle East. Schedule a demonstration today to speak with our team about our global HR system.
