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The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a thriving hub of business, tourism, and innovation upholds a unique blend of modern labor regulations and deep-rooted cultural traditions. For companies operating in the UAE, understanding public holidays and employee leave entitlements is essential for maintaining compliance, fostering work-life balance, and respecting the region’s Islamic and national customs. This guide outlines the UAE’s official holiday calendar, types of leave available to employees, and practical insights for workforce planning.
The UAE observes a mix of fixed-date national holidays and Islamic religious holidays that shift based on the lunar calendar. While national holidays like UAE National Day and Commemoration Day fall on the same date each year, Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha vary annually, depending on moon sightings confirmed by UAE authorities.
UAE’s public holidays can be classified as:
Key UAE Public Holidays 2025
Date | Day | Holiday |
1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
29 March – 1 April | Sat – Tue | Eid al-Fitr |
5 June | Thursday | Arafat Day |
6 – 8 June | Fri – Sun | Eid al-Adha |
26 June | Thursday | Islamic New Year |
4 September | Thursday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
1 December | Monday | Commemoration Day |
2 – 3 December | Tue – Wed | UAE National Day |
*Islamic holiday dates are confirmed by moon sightings and may vary by a day or two.
Holiday Entitlement
Employees in the UAE, whether full-time or part-time, are entitled to paid public holidays. If a public holiday falls on a weekend or non-working day, the employer is not obligated to offer an alternative day off, unless specified in the employment contract or company policy.
The UAE Labour Law provides various types of leave to support employee well-being and compliance with Islamic and family values. The key types of leave include:
1. Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to the following paid annual leaves:
Carry forward: Allowed for up to 2 years, subject to company policy.
Encashment: Allowed upon resignation or termination for unused balance.
2. Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year, subject to medical certification:
Sick leave is not applicable during the probation period unless the employer allows it. According to Article 31 of the UAE Labour Law, employees are required to notify their employer within three days and provide a valid medical certificate.
3. Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to:
Mothers are also entitled to 2 daily breastfeeding breaks (not exceeding 1 hour total) for 6 months after childbirth.
4. Paternity Leave
As per the updated law, male employees are entitled to:
5. Bereavement Leave
Employees may take:
6. Study Leave
UAE nationals are eligible for 10 days of study leave per year, if enrolled in a recognized educational institution.
7. Hajj Leave (Pilgrimage Leave)
Muslim employees are entitled to up to 30 days of unpaid leave to perform Hajj once during their employment.
Emergency Leave
While not officially mandated by law, some companies provide emergency leave at their discretion.
Unpaid Leave
Unpaid leave may be granted based on mutual agreement. This period does not count toward service for gratuity or end-of-service benefits.
Employees who complete one year or more of continuous service are eligible for gratuity pay upon resignation or termination (unless dismissed for cause). This is calculated based on basic salary, not total pay:
Gratuity is capped at 2 years’ total salary.
To optimize operations and respect local culture:
Implementing compliant leave policies isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s part of building a responsible, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. Whether you’re managing a local office or a regional hub, understanding the nuances of the UAE’s labor laws and cultural calendar helps ensure business continuity, employee satisfaction, and long-term success