The UAE celebrates bank holidays and festivals according to the Islamic calendar. To attract talent in the UAE, you must stay informed about employee rights and your responsibilities as an employer, not just those associated with regular work but also during public holidays. Knowing the list of holidays in the country can help you plan your business activities and client commitments better.
List of Public Holidays in 2025
There usually are 16 public holidays in the UAE each year. These include the traditional extra days off following the day of a significant fast or festival. The following table lists the dates for public holidays in 2025:
| Date | Day | Occasion |
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year’s Day |
| 29 Mar | Sat | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 30 Mar | Sun | Eid al-Fitr |
| 31 Mar | Mon | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 1 Apr | Tue | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 5 Jun | Thu | Arafat Day |
| 6 Jun | Fri | Eid al-Adha |
| 7 Jun | Sat | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 8 Jun | Sun | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 26 Jun | Thu | Islamic New Year |
| 4 Sep | Thu | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 1 Dec | Mon | Commemoration Day |
| 2 Dec | Tue | National Day |
| 3 Dec | Wed | National Day Holiday |
| 8 Jun | Sun | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 26 Jun | Thu | Islamic New Year |
The above holidays apply to all residents and full-time and part-time employees in the country. The only exceptions are those in critical services, such as healthcare, emergency services, and port duties. You should also know that sometimes Islamic dates may change according to the lunar cycle. You must respect the country’s traditions and culture and stay updated on such changes.
Regional Preferences
Although Christmas (Wednesday, December 25, 2025) is not an official public holiday in the UAE, some of your employees might want to take the day off. This is especially true in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, given the large expat population and extravagant celebrations in the two regions. Communicating your views and employee responsibilities in advance can help you prevent any last-minute inconvenience.
Also, remember that certain regional authorities may declare holidays on specific days based on the religious beliefs of the locals. Your presence and license to operate in the region might mean your business needs to remain closed on these days.
Rules for Working on Bank Holidays in the UAE
In the UAE, every employee is entitled to paid leave on all public holidays.
However, there could be times when you have project deadlines or urgent deliveries and need your employees to work on a holiday. Employees who work on holidays are entitled to compensation in the form of:
- A substitute rest day + 50% of one day’s salary for every holiday they work.
OR
- The wage is for one normal working day plus at least 50% of the basic daily salary for each holiday they work.
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