Eid Al Etihad 2026: How to make the most of the UAE’s final public holiday of the year.
Dubai: The UAE has officially announced a two-day paid public holiday for private-sector employees to mark the country’s 55th Eid Al Etihad, giving residents a chance to plan an extended break before the year draws to a close.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) confirmed on Friday, November 13, that the holiday will fall on Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3, 2026.
With Friday, December 4, remaining a regular working day, employees can make use of their annual leave to enjoy up to nine consecutive days off by taking just three additional days of leave.
Here’s how you can make the most of the confirmed holiday dates.
How long is the UAE National Day holiday?
Private-sector employees will receive two days off for Eid Al Etihad:
- Wednesday, December 2: Public holiday
- Thursday, December 3: Public holiday
- Friday, December 4: Regular working day
For employees who usually have Saturdays and Sundays off, the announcement does not automatically translate into a four-day weekend.
However, strategically using annual leave before or after the public holiday can help extend the break.
Option 1: Take one day of annual leave for a five-day break
Employees can take Friday, December 4, as annual leave to enjoy five consecutive days off, from Wednesday, December 2, to Sunday, December 6.
- December 2–3: Public holidays
- December 4: Annual leave
- December 5–6: Weekend
Total: Five consecutive days off using one day of annual leave.
Employees would return to work on Monday, December 7.
Option 2: Take two days of annual leave for a six-day break
Those with two days of annual leave to spare can take Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 1, off.
This would give them six consecutive days away from work, from Saturday, November 28, to Thursday, December 3.
- November 28–29: Weekend
- November 30–December 1: Annual leave
- December 2–3: Public holidays
Total: Six consecutive days off using two days of annual leave.
Employees would return to work on Friday, December 4.
Combined with the preceding weekend and the two confirmed public holidays, this arrangement gives employees six consecutive days away from work.
- November 28–29: Weekend
- November 30–December 1: Annual leave
- December 2–3: Public holidays
Total: Six consecutive days off using just two days of annual leave.
Employees would return to work on Friday, December 4.
Option 3: Take three days of annual leave for a nine-day break
For those looking to make the most of the holiday, taking Monday, November 30, Tuesday, December 1, and Friday, December 4, off would create a nine-day break.
By combining the two weekends with the confirmed Eid Al Etihad holidays, employees can enjoy an extended break without using too much of their annual leave.
- November 28–29: Weekend
- November 30–December 1: Annual leave
- December 2–3: Public holidays
- December 4: Annual leave
- December 5–6: Weekend
Total: Nine consecutive days off using just three days of annual leave.
Employees would return to work on Monday, December 7.
Check with your employer before booking leave
These leave arrangements apply to employees whose regular working week runs from Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as their weekly days off.
Before making travel or holiday plans, employees should check their company’s annual leave policy, particularly regarding advance applications and approval procedures.
Employers may have operational requirements that influence when annual leave can be approved. It is therefore advisable to submit requests through the company’s official leave system well in advance.
Under UAE Labour Law, private-sector employees are entitled to paid public holidays, which are separate from their annual leave entitlement.
This article was originally published on August 19, 2026, and has been updated to reflect the confirmed Eid Al Etihad holiday dates announced on November 13, 2026.
