UAE National Day Holidays 2026: What Private Workers Get

If you work in the UAE private sector, don’t book a five-day trip based only on social media holiday claims. Your actual break will depend on the official dates, your weekly rest days and whether your employer approves any extra leave.

The Official Platform of the UAE Government currently lists Wednesday and Thursday, December 2 and 3, 2026, as National Day public holidays for both government and private sectors. Emirates News Agency has also confirmed that the UAE’s 55th Eid Al Etihad celebration will be held on December 2.

Why a Five-Day Break Is Not Automatic

The confirmed public holidays are December 2 and 3. An automatic extension or transfer of these dates has not been officially confirmed as of October 29, 2026.

Some workers may be able to create a five-day break by taking Friday, December 4, as annual leave, followed by Saturday and Sunday as weekly rest days. However, this works only if Saturday and Sunday are your normal rest days and your employer approves the annual leave.

Private-sector weekly rest days are based on the employment contract or company work regulations. The law provides at least one paid weekly rest day, but not every worker follows a Saturday-Sunday schedule.

For example, if your roster gives you a different weekly day off, December 4 may be a normal working day. Check your contract, duty roster and company holiday notice before making travel or family plans.

What You Get If You Work on the Holiday

Private-sector workers are entitled to official public holidays with full pay. If your employer requires you to work on December 2 or 3, the UAE labour law provides two compensation options.

• You must receive another day off for each public holiday worked.
• Alternatively, you must receive your normal-day pay plus an increase of at least 50% of that day’s basic wage.

Ask your manager or HR team in writing which option will apply.

Keep your duty roster, attendance record, written instructions and payslip. These documents can show that you worked on an official holiday and whether the required compensation was provided.

What to Check Before December

1. Confirm whether December 2 and 3 appear as paid holidays on your company schedule.
2. Check your contractual weekly rest days rather than assuming you have Saturday and Sunday off.
3. If you want December 4 as annual leave, submit the request and wait for employer approval before booking travel.
4. If you’re rostered to work on either holiday, request written confirmation of the substitute leave or enhanced pay.

You can find more plain-English information about employment terms in GluJob’s Gulf job guides.

If Your Holiday Compensation Is Missing

First, raise the issue with your employer and keep a copy of the message. If the substitute leave or required payment is still missing, you can file a labour complaint through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

MOHRE accepts complaints through its Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre at 80084, its website or its mobile application.

For now, check your December roster and get any leave or holiday-work arrangement confirmed in writing.