UAE has specific public holidays and working week rules. Here is the complete 2026 reference guide for UAE free zone employers and employees.
In this guide:
UAE Working Week (From 2022)
- Federal government: Monday to Thursday + half day Friday (4.5-day week); Saturday and Sunday off
- Private sector: Many companies adopted the 4.5-day or 5-day week; each private sector employer sets their own working week as long as maximum hours are respected
- Maximum hours: UAE Labour Law: 8 hours per day; 48 hours per week (standard); 6 hours per day during Ramadan
UAE Public Holidays 2026
- New Year Day: 1 January
- Eid Al Fitr: 3 days; dates depend on Islamic calendar (approximately early April 2026)
- Arafat Day (Eid Al Adha Eve): 1 day
- Eid Al Adha: 3 days (approximately June 2026)
- UAE National Day: 2-3 December (2-3 days)
- Islamic New Year: 1 Muharram (approximately July 2026)
- Prophet Muhammad Birthday (Mawlid): Approximately September 2026
Annual Leave Entitlement
- Under 1 year: 2 days per month of service
- 1+ years: 30 calendar days per year (approximately 22 working days)
Ramadan Work Hours
- Reduction: Working hours reduced by 2 hours per day during Ramadan for all employees in UAE
- Effective hours: Standard 8-hour day becomes 6-hour day in Ramadan