UAE National Day 2026: How residents can get up to a nine-day holiday break
With the UAE's final major public holiday of 2026 approaching, residents can make the most of the Eid Al Etihad break by strategically using their annual leave.
The UAE has announced December 2, 3 and 4 as paid holidays for public-sector employees, while private-sector workers will receive December 2 and 3 off. With the holidays falling in the middle of the week, taking one or two additional days of annual leave can help residents extend their time off.
How public-sector employees can get a nine-day break
Public-sector employees will receive three paid days off from Wednesday, December 2, to Friday, December 4. Combined with the weekend on December 5 and 6, this gives them a five-day break.
Employees who take annual leave on Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 1, can extend the holiday to nine consecutive days, from Saturday, November 28, to Sunday, December 6.
How private-sector employees can get a five-day break
Private-sector employees will receive two paid holidays on Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3.
Those who take annual leave on Friday, December 4, can combine the day off with the weekend on December 5 and 6 to enjoy a five-day break, from Wednesday, December 2, to Sunday, December 6.
Unlike public-sector employees, private-sector workers will not automatically receive a long weekend this year because their official holidays fall on Wednesday and Thursday.
How the UAE's holiday arrangements compare with 2025
In 2025, the UAE transferred the Eid Al Etihad public holiday for the first time, allowing residents to enjoy an extended break.
The National Day holidays were originally scheduled for December 2 and 3, falling on Tuesday and Wednesday. Authorities moved them to December 1 and 2, creating a four-day break for residents following the Saturday-Sunday weekend, from November 29 to December 2.
For 2026, residents can still extend the holiday by using annual leave strategically, with public-sector employees having the option of a nine-day break and private-sector employees able to secure five consecutive days off.
