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United Arab Emirates Public Holidays 2027

UAE Public Holidays 2027 & MOHRE Regulations

Total Holidays
9 Days Gazetted
Long Weekends
4 Major Breaks
Legal Authority
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 & UAE Cabinet Resolution on Unified Public Holidays

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Attendance
Leave tracking
Employee shifts
Employee records
Simple HR
No spreadsheets
Holiday calendar
Shift planning
Team management
Free first 25
Attendance
Leave tracking
Employee shifts
Employee records
Simple HR
No spreadsheets
Holiday calendar
Shift planning
Team management
Free first 25
Attendance
Leave tracking
Employee shifts
Employee records
Simple HR
No spreadsheets
Holiday calendar
Shift planning
Team management
Free first 25

Official Holiday Pay Regulations: United Arab Emirates (2027)

Under UAE Cabinet resolutions, public holidays are completely unified across both the federal public sector and private sector. Private sector employees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the northern emirates are entitled to fully paid official holidays. In 2027, the calendar features key breaks including New Year's Day, an extended Eid al-Fitr holiday in March, Arafat Day, a 4-day Eid al-Adha weekend in May, and the 56th UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) in December.

Work on a Public Holiday (Article 28)
Under Article 28 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, if circumstances require an employee to work on an official holiday, the employer must provide a substitute day off or pay the basic wage plus a premium of at least 50% of the basic wage.
Unified Public & Private Sector
The UAE Cabinet has unified holidays so private sector workers receive the exact same holiday dates and durations as government sector employees.
Overlap with Weekend
Unless specifically decreed by the UAE Cabinet, holidays that fall on an employee's regular weekend rest day (Saturday/Sunday) are generally not automatically rolled over to Monday.
Islamic Holiday Confirmation
Dates for Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, and Prophet's Birthday are subject to official moon-sighting announcements by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee.

Full List of United Arab Emirates Holidays (2027)

Date & DayHoliday NameTypeStatutory Pay Rule
January 1, 2027
Friday
New Year's Day
رأس السنة الميلادية
Official public and private sector holiday marking the first day of the Gregorian calendar year.
National Holiday
Full paid holiday
March 9 – March 12, 2027
Tuesday – Friday
Eid al-Fitr (Holiday Break)
عيد الفطر المبارك
Official celebration marking the conclusion of Ramadan (from 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal 1448 AH). Results in a potential 6-day long break.
Religious Holiday
Full paid holidays for all 3 to 4 declared days
May 15, 2027
Saturday
Arafat Day
وقفة عرفة
The holiest day in the Islamic calendar (9 Dhu al-Hijjah), preceding the first day of Eid al-Adha.
Religious Holiday
Full paid holiday
May 16 – May 18, 2027
Sunday – Tuesday
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
عيد الأضحى المبارك
Three-day celebration (10–12 Dhu al-Hijjah) honoring Prophet Ibrahim's devotion and the Hajj pilgrimage.
Religious Holiday
Full paid holidays for 3 consecutive days
June 6, 2027
Sunday
Islamic New Year (Hijri 1449)
رأس السنة الهجرية
1 Muharram 1449 AH commemorating the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah.
Religious Holiday
Full paid holiday
August 14, 2027
Saturday
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid)
المولد النبوي الشريف
12 Rabi' al-Awwal commemorating the birth of the Prophet of Islam.
Religious Holiday
Full paid holiday
December 1, 2027
Wednesday
Commemoration Day (Martyr's Day)
يوم الشهيد
Honors the sacrifices and dedication of Emirati military and civil service martyrs.
National Holiday
Full paid holiday (often combined with National Day)
December 2, 2027
Thursday
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad - Day 1)
اليوم الوطني الإماراتي (عيد الاتحاد)
56th National Day celebrating the 1971 unification of the seven emirates into the UAE.
National Holiday
Full paid holiday
December 3, 2027
Friday
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad - Day 2)
اليوم الوطني الإماراتي (عيد الاتحاد)
Second official day of UAE National Day celebrations creating a guaranteed 4-day weekend.
National Holiday
Full paid holiday

2027 Long Weekends in United Arab Emirates

Plan peak operational rosters and approve employee leave in advance to avoid staffing deficits during national travel periods.

3 DaysJan 1 (Fri) – Jan 3 (Sun)

New Year's Weekend

A solid 3-day start to 2027 for companies operating on Saturday-Sunday weekend.

6 DaysMar 9 (Tue) – Mar 14 (Sun)

Eid al-Fitr Mega Holiday

With Tuesday through Friday declared off, employees enjoy up to 6 continuous days including the weekend.

4 DaysMay 15 (Sat) – May 18 (Tue)

Eid al-Adha 4-Day Break

Arafat Day (Sat) followed by 3 days of Eid al-Adha through Tuesday.

4 DaysDec 2 (Thu) – Dec 5 (Sun)

National Day 4-Day Weekend

Thursday and Friday off for National Day lead directly into the Saturday-Sunday weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions: United Arab Emirates Holidays