Finally, the wait is over for workers across the UAE. Today is Saturday 14 November 2026. On Friday 13 November 2026, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, known as FAHR, announced the UAE National Day holidays 2026. The UAE Government Media Office shared the federal dates on the same day. In short, this article gives you every confirmed date in one place.
The headline is simple. Government employees get three days off. Private sector staff get two paid days off. Both groups can also stretch the break to nine days with a little annual leave. In fact, this is the final public holiday of 2026, so it is worth planning well. Finally, the sections below cover the exact dates, the leave tricks, and the story behind the 55th Eid Al Etihad.
When Are the UAE National Day Holidays in 2026?
Eid Al Etihad falls on Wednesday 2 December 2026, at the heart of the UAE National Day holidays 2026. The federal government holiday runs from Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December 2026. As a result, government employees get three days off in a row. Private sector staff get a shorter break, though. In particular, their paid holiday covers Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026. Friday 4 December is a normal working day for them. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, known as MoHRE, confirmed the two-day paid holiday for the private sector.
Firstly, the dates were announced on Friday 13 November 2026. FAHR announced the federal dates first. MoHRE confirmed the private sector dates on the same day. The UAE Government Media Office also shared the federal holiday dates. As a result, every date in this article comes from an official source. Overall, nothing here is a rumour or a guess.
| Group | Holiday dates | Days off | Back to work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal government staff | Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December 2026 | 3 days | Monday 7 December 2026 |
| Private sector staff | Wednesday 2 December to Thursday 3 December 2026 | 2 paid days | Friday 4 December 2026 |
Who Gets Three Days Off and Who Gets Two?
What Did FAHR Announce for Government Staff?
FAHR announced a three-day holiday for federal government employees. The holiday covers Wednesday 2 December, Thursday 3 December, and Friday 4 December 2026. Work resumes on Monday 7 December 2026. Meanwhile, the weekend falls at the end of the break. Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December are the usual weekend days. As a result, three holiday days turn into a five-day break. Finally, the announcement came on Friday 13 November 2026.
What Did MoHRE Confirm for Private Sector Staff?
MoHRE confirmed a two-day paid holiday for private sector employees. The paid days are Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026. Friday 4 December is a regular working day for private sector staff. Indeed, that is the key difference between the two sectors. In contrast, government staff get Friday off as well. Private sector staff go back to work on Friday. The two-day holiday is paid, so staff lose no pay for the break.
The split is normal for UAE public holidays. Similarly, government and private sector dates often differ by a day. This year the gap is Friday 4 December. Still, private sector staff who want the full five days can use one day of annual leave. Finally, the leave trick section below shows how that works.
How Long Is the Break for Government Employees?
Government employees get five days off in a row during the UAE National Day holidays 2026. The break starts on Wednesday 2 December 2026. It then runs through Thursday 3 December and Friday 4 December. Then the weekend follows on Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December. Work resumes on Monday 7 December 2026. Overall, five days off, with only three of them counting as holiday days. Meanwhile, the other two are the normal weekend.
Five days is a generous break for a midweek holiday. It is long enough for a short trip inside the UAE. It is also long enough for a proper rest at home. For example, many government employees will treat it as a mini vacation. In fact, the nine-day option below stretches it further. That option needs only two days of annual leave.
How Long Is the Break for Private Sector Staff?
Private sector employees get two paid days off. The paid holiday covers Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026. Friday 4 December is a working day. The weekend then follows on Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December. Overall, that means four days off in the same week. Only two of them sit together, though. Friday breaks the run.
Still, the gap matters for travel plans. A private sector worker cannot leave on Wednesday and return on Sunday without missing Friday. However, one day of annual leave fixes that. Book Friday 4 December as leave. Then Wednesday 2 December to Sunday 6 December becomes five days off in a row. Finally, the next section shows the full nine-day plan.
How Can You Stretch the Break Into Nine Days Off?
Three days of annual leave can turn the UAE National Day holidays 2026 into nine days off. The trick works for private sector staff. Similarly, two days of leave can do the same for government staff. In particular, the plan uses the weekends on both sides of the holiday. Finally, here is how each version works.
How Does the Nine-Day Plan Work for Private Sector Staff?
Private sector staff need three days of annual leave. Firstly, book Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December, and Friday 4 December. Meanwhile, the paid holiday covers Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December. The weekends cover Saturday 28 November, Sunday 29 November, Saturday 5 December, and Sunday 6 December. Add it all up. As a result, Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December is nine days off in a row. Only three of those days come from your leave balance.
| Group | Leave days to book | Total days off | Dates covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private sector staff | Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December, Friday 4 December | 9 days from 3 leave days | Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December 2026 |
| Government staff | Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December | 9 days from 2 leave days | Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December 2026 |
How Does the Nine-Day Plan Work for Government Staff?
Government staff need only two days of annual leave. Firstly, book Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December. The federal holiday covers Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December. The weekends cover Saturday 28 November, Sunday 29 November, Saturday 5 December, and Sunday 6 December. Overall, the result is the same nine-day run. Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December is nine days off. Finally, only two days come from your leave balance.
Book early if you want these dates. Indeed, many colleagues will have the same idea. Leave requests for 30 November and 1 December will go fast. Above all, check your remaining leave balance first. Then speak to your manager as soon as you can.
What Is Eid Al Etihad and Why Does It Matter?
Eid Al Etihad is the National Day of the UAE. It is celebrated every year on 2 December. In fact, the day marks the formation of the UAE in 1971. This year is the 55th Eid Al Etihad. In particular, that milestone makes the 2026 holiday feel special. The day is traditionally marked with nationwide celebrations. For example, families gather, flags go up across the country, and the mood turns festive. Those celebrations are part of a long tradition. However, no official details of 2026 events have been announced yet. This article will not guess at them.
How Is Eid Al Etihad Traditionally Celebrated?
Eid Al Etihad is a day of national pride. The UAE flag flies from homes, cars, and offices across the country. For instance, our guide to UAE Flag Day 2026 explains the flag traditions in more detail. The day also looks back to the founding of the country. Our page on Zayed the Founder looks at the leader behind that story. Overall, the celebrations are a shared moment for Emiratis and residents alike. The holiday gives everyone time to take part.
Why Were the 2025 National Day Dates Moved?
Last year showed that holiday dates can shift. A UAE law passed in 2025 makes some public holidays transferable. As a result, a midweek holiday can move to the start or end of the week. The aim is a longer unbroken break. Finally, workers get a proper long weekend instead of a split week.
The 2025 National Day holiday proved the point. The dates were first set for Tuesday 2 December and Wednesday 3 December 2025. Officials then moved them to Monday 1 December and Tuesday 2 December 2025. In fact, the shift gave workers a cleaner break. However, the 2026 dates need no such move. Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December already runs into the weekend. Government staff get five days off with no changes at all.
The transfer rule still matters for the future. Similarly, midweek holidays in other years may move again. For now, the 2026 dates are fixed. FAHR and MoHRE have both confirmed them. Overall, plan around the dates above with confidence.
What Should You Sort Out Before the Long Weekend?
What About Travel Plans During the Holiday?
Book travel early if you plan to fly during the break. Holiday weekends are busy at UAE airports. For example, flight prices often rise as the dates get closer. In fact, our UAE flight updates from 9 November show how quickly schedules can change. Check your flight the day before you travel. Keep your booking details on your phone. Overall, a little planning saves a lot of stress at the airport.
What About Work Handover Before 2 December?
Clear your desk before Wednesday 2 December. Firstly, finish urgent tasks on Monday 30 November or Tuesday 1 December. Tell your team who covers your work. Set an out-of-office message for the break. Meanwhile, government offices close for the full three days. In contrast, private sector offices stay open on Friday 4 December. Check your company policy if you are unsure.
How Can You Make the Most of the Five-Day Break?
The UAE National Day holidays 2026 give you five days for a real break. December is a pleasant month in the UAE. The heat of summer is gone. Meanwhile, outdoor plans feel comfortable again. For example, our guide to the best time to visit Dubai explains why winter is the favourite season for many residents. Overall, day trips, beach mornings, and desert evenings all work well at this time of year.
Travel inside the UAE is easy during the break. Our guide to Etihad Rail passenger trains between Abu Dhabi and Dubai covers the new rail option. Similarly, the Dubai Metro extension to Al Maktoum International Airport is another trip to watch for the future. For trips further afield, check the latest flydubai and Etihad flight changes for November. Finally, book early, pack light, and enjoy the break. In fact, this is the final public holiday of 2026. Make it count.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UAE National Day Holidays 2026?
When Are the UAE National Day Holidays in 2026?
The UAE National Day holidays 2026 give federal government staff a break from Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December 2026. Meanwhile, private sector staff get Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026 as paid holiday. Work resumes for government staff on Monday 7 December 2026. Finally, the dates were announced on Friday 13 November 2026.
How Many Days Off Do Government Employees Get?
Government employees get three holiday days. Overall, the break runs for five days with the weekend. It starts on Wednesday 2 December and ends on Sunday 6 December 2026. Finally, work resumes on Monday 7 December 2026.
How Many Days Off Do Private Sector Employees Get?
Private sector employees get two paid days off. The paid days are Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026. However, Friday 4 December is a regular working day. Then the weekend follows on Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December.
How Can You Get Nine Days Off in a Row?
Private sector staff can book annual leave on Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December, and Friday 4 December. As a result, that gives nine days off from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December 2026. Meanwhile, government staff need only two leave days. They book Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December for the same nine-day run.
Is Eid Al Etihad the Last Public Holiday of 2026?
Yes. In fact, Eid Al Etihad is the final public holiday of 2026. The next public holidays fall in 2027. For example, our guide to the next public holiday in the UAE keeps the full calendar in one place.
When Were the 2026 Holiday Dates Announced?
FAHR announced the federal dates for the UAE National Day holidays 2026 on Friday 13 November 2026. MoHRE confirmed the private sector dates on the same day. The UAE Government Media Office also shared the federal dates. Overall, every date in this article comes from those official announcements.
