UAE Public Holidays 2026 and 2027: National Day, Eid and Tenants

The UAE public holidays 2026 follow the official list on the UAE government portal: New Year's Day on 1 January, Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, the Hijri New Year, the Prophet's birthday and National Day on 2 and 3 December. The Islamic holidays move each year and are set by moon sighting, so their exact dates are announced shortly before they begin. This guide gives the official list, what has been announced for 2026, how National Day falls in 2026 and 2027, and what the holidays mean for tenants and buyers.

What are the official UAE public holidays?

The UAE government portal (u.ae) lists the following public holidays, and says they apply to both the public and private sectors. They are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 concerning public holidays in the State.

The page also states that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, day 30 counts as an official Eid Al Fitr holiday, which is why Eid Al Fitr can run to four days.

Why do UAE public holiday dates change every year?

The government portal says Islamic holidays are determined by moon sighting. The Hijri calendar is shorter than the Gregorian one, so each Islamic holiday arrives roughly ten to eleven days earlier each year, and the exact day depends on the sighting. That is why we do not give fixed Gregorian dates for 2027's Islamic holidays: none has been announced, and any list you see now is a forecast, not an official date. The fixed holidays, New Year's Day and National Day, do not move. For a lease that starts or ends near a holiday, write the exact dates into the contract rather than relying on a phrase such as the first working day after the holiday.

When is the UAE National Day holiday?

National Day is on 2 and 3 December every year, a two day holiday. In 2026 those dates fall on a Wednesday and a Thursday. In 2027 they fall on a Thursday and a Friday. The u.ae page states a public holiday cannot be moved to another day if it coincides with another public holiday or falls on a weekend, which is the rule in Article 3 of the Cabinet resolution. Employers or the government can still announce arrangements around the dates, so watch for the official announcement in November.

What UAE public holidays have been announced for 2026?

We checked the official announcements that were available on 4 November 2026.

• New Year's Day: the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced Thursday 1 January 2026 as a paid public holiday for the private sector.
• Eid Al Fitr: the Ministry announced a paid holiday for private sector employees from Thursday 19 March 2026 to Saturday 21 March 2026, extended to Sunday 22 March 2026 if Ramadan ended on its 30th day. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department announced the holiday for Dubai government entities from Thursday 19 March to Sunday 22 March, with official work resuming on Monday 23 March, except for shift workers.
• National Day: 2 and 3 December 2026 under the standing list. We have not found a separate 2026 announcement, so watch for one.

We did not open an official announcement for Eid Al Adha, the Hijri New Year or the Prophet's birthday in 2026, so we do not state dates for them. If you need to know what happened or what is coming, check the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department.

What are the UAE public holidays in 2027?

Only the fixed holidays can be stated with confidence. New Year's Day, 1 January 2027, falls on a Friday, and National Day, 2 and 3 December 2027, falls on a Thursday and Friday. The dates of Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, the Hijri New Year and the Prophet's birthday in 2027 will be set by moon sighting and announced by the authorities. Until then, plan around the rule rather than a date. If you are signing a tenancy or a purchase agreement that runs across 2027, keep the dates in the contract fixed and avoid terms that depend on a holiday falling on a particular day. When the authorities announce the Islamic holidays, update your calendar and tell your landlord, tenant or agent so everyone is working from the same dates.

Do the holidays apply to private sector staff?

Yes. The u.ae list applies to both the public and private sectors. In practice, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announces the private sector holiday for each occasion, and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department announces the arrangement for Dubai government entities. The two announcements can differ slightly, as the Eid Al Fitr 2026 example shows: the private sector holiday began on the same Thursday, and the government holiday ran to the Sunday.

What do UAE public holidays mean for tenants?

Official government holiday announcements cover government and private sector working days. They do not, by themselves, change a tenancy contract. The practical effects are around timing:

• Rent payments and cheques: if a payment date falls on a holiday, arrange it earlier so it clears, and ask your landlord in writing if a date needs to move.
• Renewals and notices: do not leave a renewal, a notice or an Ejari registration to the last days before a long holiday. Our guides to renewing your tenancy and Ejari and tenancy contracts explain the steps and timing.
• Moving day: removal companies and building management get busy around holidays, so book early. Our moving checklist helps.

See also the complete tenant guide for how a Dubai tenancy works from start to finish.

What do UAE public holidays mean for buyers?

Property transactions rely on government services and on banks, so a long holiday can slow a transfer. We did not find an official statement of Dubai Land Department closures for each holiday, so we do not claim specific closing dates. Check dubailand.gov.ae for any announcement before you book a transfer. Build a buffer into your plan, and read how long it takes to buy a property in Dubai and what happens on transfer day so you know which steps need a government office or a bank.

Are Ejari and Dubai Land Department offices closed on public holidays?

Ejari registration and many Dubai Land Department services can be completed online, but we could not confirm from an official page which services run on which holiday, so check before relying on it. Our Ejari registration guide shows what is needed, and the DLD, RERA and Dubai REST guide explains which body handles what.

How should you plan a move or purchase around a holiday?

1. Check the official announcement as soon as it is published, usually shortly before the holiday for Islamic dates.
2. Count working days, not calendar days, for any deadline: deposits, notices, mortgage steps and registration.
3. Book movers, valuers and inspectors early.
4. Ask your agent, bank and landlord what they will be open for, and get the answer in writing.
5. Keep documents ready so a short window is enough to finish a step.
6. If a signature, payment or visit must happen on a specific day, ask what the fallback is if the holiday is extended.

What should landlords and agents expect around holidays?

Landlords who are managing a handover, a re-let or a repair should check the calendar before promising dates to a tenant. Contractors and building management offices are often slower to respond around a long break, and a tenant who is moving out wants the deposit and inspection handled quickly. Our guides on getting your deposit back in Dubai and who pays for maintenance in a rental explain the usual process, and the sooner the dates are agreed in writing, the fewer disputes arise.

Do people travel or stay in Dubai during the holidays?

Many residents travel and others stay for the events and the weather, which can make the city busy. If you are viewing properties, book viewings ahead, because agents and landlords may be away. Our guide to the best areas to live in Dubai can help you shortlist before you arrive, and our Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina pages show what is available in two of the most searched areas.

Frequently asked questions

The short answers are below. For dates that are still to be announced, check the official government channels.