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Arabian Business reported on August 1 that employees across the UAE could receive a three-day weekend in August and a five-day holiday in December under the terms of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The resolution authorises the transfer of eligible non-Eid public holidays to the beginning or end of the week to maximise employee time off. This framework applies uniformly to both government and private sector workers throughout the federation. Federal rules under the resolution extend to private sector employers through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The publication outlined how the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is projected to fall on a Tuesday in late August 2026. Authorities may shift the holiday to the preceding Monday under the resolution, linking it with the standard weekend to produce the three-day break. Any such adjustment remains subject to formal Cabinet approval in advance of the date.
Eid Al Etihad falls on Wednesday December 2 and Thursday December 3 in 2026, Arabian Business stated in the same article. The Cabinet holds the option to transfer part of the observance to Friday December 4, which would generate a continuous five-day holiday period. This would mark one of the longest holiday periods outside of the major Eid celebrations. The move would align with the resolution’s stated goal of preventing public holidays from being absorbed by existing days off.
Time Out Dubai reported in August that the combined effect of these potential transfers could deliver eight additional days off for the year. The outlet explained that the 2024 resolution excludes Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha from transfers when they coincide with weekends but covers other occasions including the Gregorian New Year, Hijri New Year, the Prophet’s Birthday and National Day. Khaleej Times data indicates the UAE public holiday calendar typically supplies between 11 and 13 paid days off annually, varying with the length of Ramadan.
Article 3 of the resolution prohibits transfers when a holiday coincides with another public holiday or a weekend in specified circumstances, according to Arabian Business coverage. Article 4 grants individual emirate governments separate discretion over holidays for their own departments and corporations. This framework has already influenced planning for the 2026 calendar across federal entities.
Islamic holidays within the calendar remain dependent on moon sightings for final confirmation, multiple regional outlets have noted in their 2026 previews. The Central Statistical Bureau and related federal bodies have not issued updated projections since the August reports. Residents should consult official government channels for any revisions to the schedule in the coming months.
