Asan Tata— November 14, 2026Private sector workers in the UAE now know exactly when their private sector holiday for National Day falls. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has confirmed two paid days off for the 55th Eid Al Etihad, and the dates are Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December 2026.
The announcement came on Friday, 13 November 2026, through a post on X from MOHRE. It covers every employee in a private sector establishment across the country. The two days are paid public holidays, so your salary does not drop because you are off work.
This is the last public holiday of 2026. It lands on the same dates as the National Day itself, and it gives most workers a clear four-day stretch when the weekend is added. With one day of annual leave, that stretch can grow to five days.
Quick Answer
Private sector employees in the UAE get two paid days off on Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December 2026, for the 55th Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day). The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced the dates on 13 November 2026. Public sector employees get three days off, from 2 to 4 December, and return to work on Monday, 7 December. Friday, 4 December, is a normal working day for the private sector.
What MOHRE Announced
MOHRE posted the news on X on Friday, 13 November 2026. The message was short and clear. It said that Wednesday and Thursday, 2 and 3 December 2026, will be paid public holidays for all employees in private sector establishments across the country.
The announcement came on the same day that the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) confirmed the public sector dates. The two announcements together complete the picture for workers in both sectors.
National Day, now officially called Eid Al Etihad, marks the day the seven emirates came together as one country on 2 December 1971. The year 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of that union. The name means “Celebration of the Union”, a return to the authentic Arabic title the nation’s founders used for the day.
Private Sector Holiday Dates and Public Sector Dates
The two sectors do not get the same number of days off this year. The table below shows the difference at a glance.
| Sector | Days off | Dates | Back to work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private sector | 2 days | Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026 | Friday 4 December 2026 |
| Public sector (federal) | 3 days | Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December 2026 | Monday 7 December 2026 |
Private sector workers return to work on Friday, 4 December, unless they take annual leave that day. Federal government employees return on Monday, 7 December, after a three-day break that runs into the weekend.
The dates match the official public holidays list. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, 2 and 3 December are listed as the National Day holidays for both the public and private sectors. The extra day for the public sector, Friday 4 December, comes from the FAHR circular for federal entities.
How to Turn Two Days Into Five
The UAE weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday. That means the two paid days off already give private sector workers a four-day stretch: Wednesday and Thursday off, then Saturday and Sunday as the normal weekend.
Friday, 4 December, sits in the middle. If you take one day of annual leave on that Friday, your break runs from Wednesday, 2 December, through Sunday, 6 December. That is five days off in a row for the cost of a single leave day.
This is a popular move every year, so plan early. Many employers ask staff to book leave in advance. National Day is also one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, so book flights and hotels early and check your passport and visa dates before you pay.
Your Rights If You Have to Work
Not every private sector worker gets the days off in practice. Hospitals, hotels, shops, restaurants, transport and security teams often need staff on public holidays. The law still protects you in that case.
Under Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law, every worker is entitled to official days off with full pay on public holidays set by a Cabinet resolution. National Day is one of those holidays.
If your employer needs you to work on 2 or 3 December, the law gives your employer two options for each day you work:
- Give you another day off as a substitute for the holiday you worked.
- Pay you your normal wage for the day, plus an increase of at least 50 per cent of your basic wage for that day.
The extra 50 per cent is worked out on your basic wage, not your total salary. To work out one day of basic wage, divide your monthly basic wage by 30, then add at least half of that amount on top of your normal day’s pay.
These rules apply to all private sector employees, whatever their grade or job title. The protection only applies when your employer asks you to work, or when the work itself requires it with your employer’s permission.
Check your payslip and your leave balance after the holiday. If you worked on a public holiday and received neither a substitute day off nor the extra pay, raise it with your employer first. If that does not fix it, you can file a complaint with MOHRE. The ministry’s hotline is 800 60, and complaints can also be filed through the MOHRE website or app.
Why the Dates Were Not Moved This Year
Some readers may remember that last year’s National Day holiday was moved. In 2025, the holidays were first listed for 2 and 3 December, but they were officially moved to Monday 1 December and Tuesday 2 December. That gave workers a longer break with the weekend.
The move was possible because of a Cabinet resolution that took effect on 1 January 2025. It allows certain public holidays to be transferred to the start or end of the week when they fall on a weekday.
This year, no move was needed. Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December already sit next to the weekend, so the break runs naturally into Saturday and Sunday. The official list was last updated on 29 October 2026, and it shows 2 and 3 December for both sectors.
What Is Eid Al Etihad?
Eid Al Etihad is the official name for UAE National Day. It marks 2 December 1971, the day the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah signed the agreement that formed the United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah joined the union a few months later, in February 1972.
The day is marked by official ceremonies, fireworks, parades and family events across all seven emirates. The main official celebration this year is planned in Ras Al Khaimah, and fireworks displays are also planned in Abu Dhabi, including at the Sheikh Zayed Festival.
For residents, the holiday is also a chance to enjoy the cooler December weather. Daytime temperatures in early December usually sit in the high 20s, and evenings are mild. Outdoor events and fireworks draw large crowds, so arrive early if you plan to attend a popular display.
Schools and the Winter Break
Schools follow their own calendars, and parents should check with their child’s school for the exact National Day arrangements. School holidays are announced separately from the MOHRE and FAHR notices.
The timing is close to the winter break. The school winter break runs from Monday, 14 December 2026, to Sunday, 3 January 2027. That means the National Day break and the winter break are less than two weeks apart, which is useful for families planning travel.
If you plan to travel with children, check school dates before you book. Some schools run events or activities around National Day.
What to Check Before the Holiday
A short checklist can save you trouble in the first week of December:
- Confirm with your employer whether 2 and 3 December are marked as paid holidays in your company’s system.
- If you are rostered to work, ask in writing whether you will get a substitute day off or the extra 50 per cent pay.
- Book annual leave for Friday, 4 December, early if you want the five-day break.
- Check your Emirates ID, passport and visa expiry dates before any travel.
- Confirm hotel and flight bookings, and keep copies of your tickets and reservations.
- Plan your route if you attend fireworks or public events, as roads near venues get busy.
Government services also change over the holiday. Federal and local government offices close on the public holidays, and many services move online. If you have a deadline for a visa, licence or permit in the first week of December, finish it before 2 December.
National Day Holidays in Recent Years
The National Day break has looked different in recent years, which is why the dates cause confusion each November. The table below shows how the holiday has fallen in the last few years.
| Year | Anniversary | Holiday dates |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 53rd | 2 and 3 December (Monday and Tuesday) |
| 2025 | 54th | 1 and 2 December (moved from 2 and 3 December) |
| 2026 | 55th | 2 and 3 December (private sector); 2 to 4 December (public sector) |
The 2025 move was the first time the transferable holiday rule was used for National Day. This year the calendar is kinder, and no move was needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do private sector workers get 2 or 3 December off in 2026?
Both days. MOHRE confirmed that Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December 2026, are paid public holidays for all private sector employees. Friday, 4 December, is a normal working day for the private sector.
Is the National Day holiday paid?
Yes. Public holidays in the UAE are paid days off with full pay under Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Your salary should not be reduced because of the two days off.
What if my employer asks me to work on National Day?
Your employer must compensate you for each day you work. You should get either a substitute day off or your normal wage for the day plus at least 50 per cent of your basic wage. If you get neither, you can raise it with your employer and then file a complaint with MOHRE on 800 60.
How can I get five days off for National Day?
Take one day of annual leave on Friday, 4 December. Your break then runs from Wednesday, 2 December, through Sunday, 6 December, which is five days including the weekend. Book the leave early, as many colleagues will have the same idea.
When do public sector workers return to work?
Federal government employees get three days off, from Wednesday, 2 December, to Friday, 4 December, and return to work on Monday, 7 December 2026.
Is 2026 the 55th National Day?
Yes. The UAE was formed on 2 December 1971, so December 2026 marks the 55th Eid Al Etihad. The official name, Eid Al Etihad, means “Celebration of the Union”.
Disclaimer
Holiday dates in this article are based on the MOHRE announcement of 13 November 2026 and the FAHR announcement of the same day. Dates can change if a new official circular is issued, so check the MOHRE and FAHR notices before you make final travel plans. This article is general information only and is not legal advice. If you have a dispute about holiday pay, speak to your employer or contact MOHRE directly.
Sources: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announcement, 13 November 2026, via Khaleej Times and The National; Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announcement, 13 November 2026; Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 28; Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 (official public holidays list).
Last Updated: 14 November 2026
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