UAE Working Week and Public Holidays Reference 2026
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