Asan Tata— November 3, 2026The United Arab Emirates marks Flag Day today, Tuesday 3 November 2026. Across all seven emirates, government offices, schools, universities, businesses and homes are raising the national flag at the same time. The occasion is a moment of national pride, but it also comes with clear official rules about how the flag should be treated.
This guide explains what Flag Day is, how the flag should be raised and displayed, what is not allowed, and what the law says about damaging or insulting it. The rules below come from the UAE Flag and Official Portraits Guidelines, published by the UAE Government Media Office, and from Federal Law No. 2 of 1971, as amended.
Quick Answer
UAE Flag Day falls on 3 November each year. It is not a public holiday, so schools and offices stay open. The nationwide flag-raising takes place at 11am. The flag must always be clean, in good condition and raised correctly. Worn, torn or faded flags must be replaced, even if the damage looks minor. Publicly dropping, damaging or insulting the flag is a serious offence. Under Article 3 of Federal Law No. 2 of 1971, as amended, it can bring 10 to 25 years in prison and a fine of at least Dh500,000.
What Is UAE Flag Day?
Flag Day is observed every year on 3 November. The date marks the anniversary of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan becoming President of the UAE in 2004. The occasion was first marked in 2013, and this year is its 14th edition.
Flag Day opens a month of national celebrations that lead up to Eid Al Etihad, the UAE National Day, on 2 December. It is not an official public holiday. Pupils go to school as normal, and workplaces stay open. Schools and offices simply pause for the flag-raising ceremony during the day.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has called on citizens, residents and institutions across the country to take part. The call covers government departments, schools, universities, private businesses and families at home.
Flag Day 2026: What Happens Today
The centrepiece of the day is the nationwide flag-raising at 11am. Government entities, schools, offices and organisations across all seven emirates raise the flag at the same moment. People present at a raising ceremony should stand still while the flag goes up or comes down. When the national anthem is played in the presence of a raised flag, those present should stand facing it.
Public celebrations are also taking place. At Global Village in Dubai, a 1,000-drone show is planned at 8pm, with flags handed out at the gates and landmarks lit in the national colours. Note that Tuesdays at Global Village are reserved for ladies and families. In Dubai, the 13th edition of the Flag Garden at Umm Suqeim, beside Burj Al Arab, is also open.
Abu Dhabi City Municipality has used the occasion to remind residents to replace damaged flags. In a message on its official Facebook page, the municipality said residents should replace their flag when needed and keep it flying high with pride.
The UAE Flag: Design and History
The UAE flag was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was 19 years old at the time. His design won a nationwide competition, and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan chose it. The flag was first raised on 2 December 1971, the day the UAE was founded.
The flag is rectangular, with its length twice its height. A vertical red band takes up one quarter of its length, next to the flagpole. The rest of the flag has three equal horizontal bands: green on top, white in the middle and black at the bottom. These four colours are the Pan-Arab colours, shared by several Arab states.
The designer drew inspiration from a verse by the Arab poet Safi Al Din Al Hilli, which linked white with good deeds, green with fertile land, black with battles and red with swords. The modern official reading of the colours is set out in the table below.
What the Four Colours Mean
| Colour | Official meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | The sacrifices of the generation that built the federation, and of the nation’s martyrs |
| Green | Growth, prosperity, the natural environment and cultural development |
| White | Charitable work, generosity and the UAE’s commitment to peace and security |
| Black | Strength, determination and resilience of the UAE’s people |
How to Display the Flag Correctly
The official guidelines set out clear rules for raising and displaying the flag. These rules apply to everyone, not only to government bodies. They cover homes, offices, schools and public displays.
Position and direction
When the flag is raised horizontally, the red section must be on the left of a person facing it. When it is displayed vertically, the red section must point upwards. The flag should be raised at a reasonable speed, taken to the top of the flagpole and secured tightly.
The flag must never touch the ground during handling, raising or lowering. Where it flies beside other countries’ flags, the UAE flag must not sit lower than the others, and it should be raised first.
Flags on buildings
The flag can be displayed at government buildings, schools, universities, offices and commercial establishments during Flag Day. The flag and flagpole should be proportionate to the building’s height. For government buildings, the flag’s height should be one third of the flagpole’s height.
If there is not enough space in front of a building, the flagpole can be placed on the rooftop. This is not allowed on buildings taller than ten floors. Where no outdoor flagpole can be installed, the flag may be displayed at the main entrance or reception area. Where several flagpoles stand at a government building’s entrance, the UAE flag should sit nearest to the building.
Care and maintenance
The flag should be kept clean and ironed regularly. It must be inspected before each raising, and checked again after intense storms or abnormal weather. Worn, torn or discoloured flags must always be replaced, regardless of how small the damage seems. This is the point the authorities have stressed most clearly this year: even minor damage means replacement.
Flags that are not in use should be folded and stored in a suitable place, such as a flag case. A damaged flag should be lowered slowly and folded while it is being replaced. The guidelines allow damaged flags to be recycled by separating their parts, so they no longer keep the shape or appearance of the national flag. Burning should be avoided, to protect the environment.
What Is Not Allowed
The guidelines list several practices that are not permitted when using the national flag. These matter most for businesses, schools and event organisers preparing Flag Day decorations or displays.
- Altering the flag: changing its official colours, adding symbols, designs or images, or attaching pins to it.
- Commercial advertising: using the national flag for commercial purposes, advertising, publicity, or as a trademark or part of a trademark.
- Disposable items: printing the flag on disposable materials such as pillows, napkins or boxes.
- Clothing and costumes: using the flag as a costume, or for decorative purposes that go against its intended use.
- Covering objects: using the national flag to cover buildings, vehicles, statues, furniture or other objects.
Flags on Cars: What to Know
A UAE flag on a car is allowed, but the flag must not cover the car. For National Day each year, the Ministry of Interior also issues separate rules for decorating cars. In 2025, those rules allowed only two things: official Union Day stickers and the UAE flag. They banned covering the windscreen or number plates and flying other countries’ flags. Breaking the rules could mean a fine and the car being impounded.
The 2026 car-decoration rules have not been published yet. In past years they have usually appeared in the last week of November, ahead of National Day. Until the new rules are announced, drivers should follow the standing flag guidelines and keep windscreens, windows and number plates clear.
Penalties for Insulting or Damaging the Flag
There is an important distinction here. A flag that has simply faded through ordinary weather exposure is not, by itself, treated as an offence. The guidelines simply require it to be replaced.
Deliberate acts are treated very differently. Under Article 3 of Federal Law No. 2 of 1971 concerning the Union Flag, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2019, anyone who publicly, in a public place or in a place accessible to the public, drops, damages or insults the UAE flag faces imprisonment of between 10 and 25 years and a fine of at least Dh500,000.
Residents should therefore treat the flag with care, replace damaged flags promptly, and avoid any display that could be seen as disrespectful. When in doubt, the safe choice is to take the flag down, fold it and store it properly.
A Simple Checklist for Flag Day at Home
- Check your flag before you raise it. Look for fading, tears and worn fabric.
- Replace it if you find any damage, however small. Do not raise a damaged flag.
- Raise it at 11am with the red section on the left when horizontal, or pointing up when vertical.
- Secure it tightly and make sure it cannot touch the ground.
- Keep it clean and ironed, and fold it away carefully when the celebrations end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UAE Flag Day a public holiday?
No. Flag Day is not an official public holiday. Schools and offices operate as normal on 3 November. Do not confuse it with Eid Al Etihad, the National Day on 2 December, which is an official public holiday.
What time is the flag raised on Flag Day?
The nationwide flag-raising ceremony takes place at 11am. Government entities, schools, offices and organisations across all seven emirates raise the flag at the same time.
Can I raise a faded or slightly torn flag?
No. The official guidelines state that worn, damaged or discoloured flags must be replaced and never raised, regardless of the severity of the damage. Check the flag before each raising and after severe weather.
What should I do with an old or damaged flag?
Lower it slowly, fold it and keep it in a suitable place while you replace it. Damaged flags may be recycled by separating their parts so they no longer look like the national flag. Burning should be avoided.
What is the penalty for insulting the UAE flag?
Under Article 3 of Federal Law No. 2 of 1971, as amended, publicly dropping, damaging or insulting the flag can bring 10 to 25 years in prison and a fine of at least Dh500,000. Ordinary fading from weather exposure is not itself an offence.
Can I put a UAE flag on my car?
Yes, but the flag must not cover the car. Separate Ministry of Interior car-decoration rules are issued each year for National Day. The 2026 rules have not been published yet, so keep windscreens, windows and number plates clear.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Flag rules and penalties are set out in the UAE Government Media Office guidelines and in Federal Law No. 2 of 1971, as amended. If you are unsure about a specific display, check the official guidelines or ask the relevant authority before you proceed.
Last Updated: 3 November 2026
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