In 2025, residents of the UAE can look forward to up to 13 days off as public holidays, according to a new resolution issued by the UAE Cabinet. Notably, the holiday schedule for the Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr will see a slight change next year.
Effective from January 1, 2025, the resolution applies to both private and public sector employees in the UAE, Khaleej Times reports. These public holidays are in addition to the 30 annual leave days that employees are entitled to each year.
With this combination of public holidays and annual leaves, residents have the opportunity to take up to three vacations throughout the year. Most holiday dates are based on the Islamic Hijri calendar, with exact Gregorian dates to be confirmed closer to each occasion.
Here is the detailed list of public holidays for 2025:
New Year’s Day: January 1, 2025, will be a public holiday to mark the beginning of the new year.
Eid Al Fitr: Residents will get up to four days off in March-April. The holiday will cover the first three days of Shawwal, with an additional day if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: Four days off in June, including Arafah Day on Dhul Hijjah 9 and Eid Al Adha from Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12.
Hijri New Year: One day off in June for Muharram 1.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: One day off in September, on Rabi Al Awwal 12.
UAE National Day: Two days off on December 2 and 3.
The resolution allows for non-Eid holidays to be moved to the beginning or end of the week through a UAE Cabinet decision. If a holiday falls on a weekend, it cannot be shifted to a weekday. Additionally, local governments in each Emirate may announce extra holidays as necessary.