Asan Tata— November 13, 2026The UAE National Day holiday for 2026 is now official. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced on Friday, 13 November 2026, that federal government employees will get three days off for Eid Al Etihad, from Wednesday, 2 December to Friday, 4 December 2026. Work resumes on Monday, 7 December 2026.
This guide explains the dates, who gets the days off, what the private sector can expect, and your pay rights if you work on the holiday.
Quick Answer
The UAE National Day holiday for federal government employees runs from Wednesday, 2 December to Friday, 4 December 2026. FAHR announced the dates on 13 November 2026. Government offices reopen on Monday, 7 December 2026. With the Saturday and Sunday weekend, federal employees get five days off in a row. The statutory holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 is 2 and 3 December. Friday, 4 December was added for the federal government. Private-sector staff should confirm their dates with their employer, as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announces private-sector holidays separately.
What FAHR Announced
FAHR shared the announcement on its official X account on Friday, 13 November 2026. The post confirmed the 55th Eid Al Etihad holiday for ministries and federal entities. The holiday starts on Wednesday, 2 December and ends on Friday, 4 December 2026. Official working hours resume on Monday, 7 December 2026.
The announcement was reported the same day by Khaleej Times, The National, Emirates 24|7, ARN News Centre and Sharjah24. It is the first official confirmation of the December holiday dates for 2026. Until now, the dates were only listed in the official holiday calendar as 2 and 3 December, with no word on whether Friday, 4 December would be added.
The Dates at a Glance
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December 2026 | Tuesday | Commemoration Day (observed, not a paid public holiday) |
| 2 December 2026 | Wednesday | National Day public holiday |
| 3 December 2026 | Thursday | National Day public holiday |
| 4 December 2026 | Friday | Added holiday for federal government staff |
| 5 December 2026 | Saturday | Weekend |
| 6 December 2026 | Sunday | Weekend |
| 7 December 2026 | Monday | Work resumes |
For federal staff, the break runs five days in a row, from Wednesday, 2 December to Sunday, 6 December. The last working day before it is Tuesday, 1 December.
What About the Private Sector?
The private sector is the big question for most residents. The National reports that both FAHR and MOHRE announced the public holiday dates. Under the unified UAE holiday calendar, public and private sector employees usually receive the same number of public holidays. That points to private-sector staff getting the same days off.
Even so, some outlets noted on 13 November that the private-sector notice was still awaited. MOHRE announces private-sector holidays separately from FAHR, and in 2025 its notice came on 17 November, a few days after the federal announcement.
The safest step is simple. Check with your HR department before you book travel. Your company will confirm the exact days once MOHRE’s notice is out. Do not assume Friday, 4 December is a day off until your employer confirms it. The statutory paid holiday for the private sector is 2 and 3 December.
Why Friday, 4 December Was Added
The official National Day holiday in UAE law is two days: 2 and 3 December. That is set out in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State. The resolution applies to the public and private sectors alike, and it has been in force since 1 January 2025.
The same resolution lets the Cabinet move some public holidays to the start or end of the week to create a longer break. Eid holidays are excluded from this rule, but National Day is not an Eid holiday, so it can be moved under Article 2. This year, the government did not move the dates. Instead, it added Friday, 4 December to the federal holiday, so workers no longer need to use annual leave on Friday to get the long weekend.
UAE National Day Holiday: How the Five-Day Break Works
The five-day break is simple to work out. The holiday covers Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday are the normal weekend. That gives five days off in a row, from 2 to 6 December.
Staff on a four-day working week get the same five days with no extra effort. Sharjah’s public sector works a four-day week, with Friday already a day off. For those employees, the holiday and the weekend line up into the same five-day stretch.
Private-sector staff who get the same three days also enjoy five days off. If your employer only confirms 2 and 3 December, you can still get five days by taking Friday, 4 December as one day of annual leave.
| Group | Days off | Break |
|---|---|---|
| Federal government staff | 2, 3 and 4 December | Five days, 2 to 6 December |
| Sharjah public sector (four-day week) | 2, 3 and 4 December | Five days, 2 to 6 December |
| Private sector (if Friday is added) | 2, 3 and 4 December | Five days, 2 to 6 December |
| Private sector (2 and 3 December only) | 2 and 3 December | Four days, or five days with one leave day on 4 December |
What Is Eid Al Etihad?
Eid Al Etihad is the official name for UAE National Day. The name means “celebration of the union”. It has been the official name of the National Day celebrations since 2024. Before that, the day was widely known as Union Day or National Day.
The holiday marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971, when six emirates joined together. Ras Al Khaimah joined the following year. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan led the unification and became the first president.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the union. The country is now home to more than 200 nationalities, and each December citizens and residents celebrate the founding with events across all seven emirates. A grand official ceremony is held each year as the centrepiece. The 2026 celebrations also fall in the UAE’s Year of Family, which highlights the families and communities that have shaped the country over 55 years.
Commemoration Day on 1 December
Tuesday, 1 December 2026 is Commemoration Day. It is a day to honour UAE soldiers who lost their lives in service to the country. It is observed across the nation, but it is not a separate statutory paid public holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The paid holiday block in December starts on Wednesday, 2 December.
That means Tuesday, 1 December is a normal working day for most employees. If you are flying out for the break, the earliest you can leave without taking leave is after work on Tuesday.
If You Have to Work on the Holiday
Some jobs cannot stop for a public holiday. Hospitals, hotels, airports, shops and emergency services all need staff on 2 and 3 December.
Under Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, every private-sector employee is entitled to a paid day off on all official public holidays. If your employer needs you to work on a public holiday, you must be given a substitute day off, or extra pay for the day worked. Your employer should agree the arrangement with you in advance.
If you work on the holiday and you do not get a substitute day off or extra pay, you can raise it with MOHRE. The ministry takes complaints through its Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084, its website, or its mobile app. Keep a record of the days you worked.
What Stays Open During the Break
Government offices and ministries close for the three days, including federal service centres. Online services keep running. You can still use government apps and portals such as the ICP smart services, the DubaiNow app and the TAMM platform during the holiday. Some services may take longer to process because staff are away.
Banks usually close on public holidays, but ATMs and mobile banking stay available. Malls, restaurants, cinemas and attractions stay open and are often busy during a long weekend. Public transport runs on its normal or holiday timetable, so check timings before you travel. Schools generally follow the official holiday calendar, but parents should check the notice from their child’s school.
Planning Your Break
The break is the last long weekend of 2026 and one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Many residents fly out on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. If you plan to travel, book early, as fares and hotel rates rise closer to the holiday.
If you are staying in the UAE, the Dubai Shopping Festival starts on 4 December 2026 and runs until 17 January 2027. Fireworks, drone shows, concerts and National Day events are planned across the emirates.
Roads get busy around National Day, with heavy traffic on the Dubai to Abu Dhabi road and on routes to Hatta, Jebel Jais and the beaches. If you are driving, leave early and check traffic updates. Book any government service you need before the break. If your Emirates ID, visa, driving licence or car registration needs renewal, do it before 1 December. Service centres close from 2 to 4 December, and queues build up after a long break.
What Comes Next After the Holiday
Eid Al Etihad is the last public holiday of 2026. The next one is New Year’s Day on Friday, 1 January 2027, which gives a three-day weekend at the start of the new year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days off do federal government employees get for Eid Al Etihad 2026?
Three days: Wednesday, 2 December to Friday, 4 December 2026. With the weekend, that is five days off in a row. Work resumes on Monday, 7 December 2026.
Do private-sector employees get the same holiday?
The public and private sectors usually receive the same number of public holidays under the unified calendar, and The National reports that MOHRE also announced the dates. Even so, private-sector staff should confirm the exact days with their employer.
Is 1 December a public holiday?
No. Tuesday, 1 December is Commemoration Day. It is observed across the UAE to honour fallen soldiers, but it is not a separate statutory paid public holiday. The paid holiday starts on Wednesday, 2 December.
Why is Friday, 4 December a holiday this year?
The statutory National Day holiday is 2 and 3 December under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The government added Friday, 4 December for federal employees, so the break gives five days off without using annual leave.
What if my employer asks me to work on National Day?
Private-sector employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays under Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. If you work on the holiday, your employer must give you a substitute day off or extra pay. You can contact MOHRE on 80084 if the arrangement is not honoured.
When do government offices reopen?
Monday, 7 December 2026. Online services stay available through the break, but in-person services stop from 2 to 4 December.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Holiday dates for the federal government were announced by FAHR on 13 November 2026. Private-sector dates are announced separately by MOHRE, and your employer may set its own arrangements. Always confirm your dates with your employer before you book travel. This article is not legal advice. For employment questions, contact MOHRE on 80084 or visit the official UAE Government portal.
Sources: Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announcement, 13 November 2026 (via X); Khaleej Times, 13 November 2026; The National, 13 November 2026; Emirates 24|7, 13 November 2026; Sharjah24, 13 November 2026; Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State; Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 28.
Last Updated: 13 November 2026
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