The UAE has officially confirmed the public holidays for UAE National Day 2025, marking one of the most important and festive events of the year. For employees across the public and private sectors, this holiday brings not only patriotic celebrations but also a well-deserved break as the year nears its end.
The UAE National Day—also known as Eid Al Etihad—is celebrated every year on December 2, honoring the historic unification of the seven emirates in 1971. This year’s holiday schedule brings clarity on paid days off, potential long weekends, and what staff across the UAE should expect.
In this complete guide, we break down the official dates, possible extended weekend scenarios, historical patterns, shifting rules, and what this means for employees in both government and private companies.
Official Public Holiday Dates for UAE National Day 2025
The UAE Cabinet has confirmed the following paid public holidays for National Day 2025 under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024:
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
These two days apply to all staff across the UAE, including:
Federal government employees
Local government employees
Private sector employees
Semi-government institutions
Free-zone companies
This means every worker in the UAE is guaranteed two official paid holidays.
But the bigger question remains:
Will UAE employees enjoy a long weekend of 4 days or a full 5-day break?
To understand that, we must look at the UAE’s holiday shifting policy.
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Why UAE Holidays Can Change or Extend
The UAE has a special rule that allows public holidays—except Eid holidays—to be shifted to create longer weekends if the dates fall mid-week. This is part of the UAE’s strategy to:
Support work-life balance
Promote domestic tourism
Boost hotel, travel, and retail sectors
Ensure consistency between public and private sector holidays
Under the Cabinet resolution:
Non-Eid holidays like National Day may be moved to the beginning or end of the week.
This means the UAE can legally shift December 3 to December 1 (Monday) to give residents a cleaner long weekend.
Possible Weekend Scenarios for Staff
Let’s break down the three most likely scenarios for the UAE National Day 2025 break.
Scenario 1 — 5-Day Break (If Monday Is Added)
If the government decides to add Monday, December 1 as an extra public holiday, employees would get:
Saturday (Weekend)
Sunday (Weekend)
Monday (Holiday)
Tuesday (Holiday)
Wednesday (Holiday)
That means a 5-day break from November 29 to December 3.
This is possible under UAE law but historically less common unless tied to major occasions or Eid.
Scenario 2 — 4-Day Long Weekend (Most Likely)
The UAE may shift the December 3 holiday to December 1, creating:
Saturday
Sunday
Monday (Shifted Holiday)
Tuesday (National Day Holiday)
This gives a 4-day paid break for all employees.
This is the most likely scenario based on government patterns. The UAE prefers convenient long weekends rather than mid-week disruptions.
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Scenario 3 — Standard 2-Day Break (Minimum Guaranteed)
If the UAE decides not to shift any holidays, employees will get the official:
Tuesday, December 2
Wednesday, December 3
This is the minimum guaranteed break, but it rarely happens because the UAE almost always shifts holidays to align with the weekend.
How UAE Handled National Day Holidays in Previous Years
Looking at the last several years, a clear pattern emerges:
2024:
Holiday was Monday & Tuesday → Staff enjoyed a 4-day weekend with Saturday–Sunday.
2023:
Holiday was shifted to Friday → 3-day weekend.
2022:
National Day fell on Thursday–Friday → 4-day weekend.
2021:
Holiday spanned Thursday–Friday → 4-day weekend again.
This pattern proves one thing:
⭐ The UAE consistently creates long weekends for National Day whenever possible.
That means a 4-day weekend is the strongest prediction for 2025.
How This Holiday Impacts Staff in the UAE
National Day is a fully paid public holiday for all UAE workers. This means:
✔ Employees are paid as usual for all holiday days.
✔ Staff working on holidays must be compensated (extra pay or alternative leave).
✔ Shifts, rosters, and duty schedules must adjust according to legal requirements.
Private Sector Compensation Rules (As per UAE Labour Law):
If an employee works on a public holiday, they must receive:
125% pay + time off, or
150% pay (in some cases)
This holiday also allows:
Staff to plan travel
Companies to schedule maintenance or downtime
Hospitality and tourism sectors to prepare for peak activity
What Employees Can Expect During the Holiday
Whether the holiday becomes a 4-day or 5-day break, workers can enjoy:
1. Country-wide Celebrations
The UAE marks National Day with massive events, including:
Fireworks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK
Air shows and military displays
Traditional Emirati performances
Cultural festivals
Shopping discounts across malls
Special National Day car parades
2. Heavy Tourism and Domestic Travel
Hotel occupancy and travel bookings rise significantly, especially in:
Dubai Marina
Abu Dhabi Corniche
Fujairah beach resorts
Ras Al Khaimah mountain hotels
3. Government Festivities
Major public programs include:
National Day parades
Light projections on iconic landmarks
Heritage exhibitions
Why the UAE Announces Holidays Close to the Date
Even though the official dates are known, the final long-weekend decision (4 days or 5 days) is often announced:
In the second half of November
After Cabinet review
To align with work cycles and federal schedules
This ensures national consistency and allows companies time to plan shifts or operations.
What Employees Should Do Now
With the dates officially confirmed—and the long weekend highly likely—employees can start planning:
✔ Staycation bookings
✔ Travel plans
✔ Family gatherings
✔ Work schedules
✔ Staff rotations (if in hospitality or retail)
Companies should also prepare for:
Holiday pay processing
Adjusted rosters
Customer footfall increases
Travel or logistics peaks
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Frequently Asked Questions about UAE National Day Public Holiday 2025
1. How many days off will UAE staff get for National Day 2025?
Minimum 2 days, but 4 days is the most likely scenario.
2. Will employees get December 1 off?
Yes, if the holiday is shifted—this is highly possible.
3. Do private-sector workers get the same holidays?
Yes. National Day holidays apply to public + private sectors.
4. Will it be a paid holiday?
Yes. National Day is a fully paid public holiday.
5. When will the final long weekend announcement be made?
Usually mid or late November.
Conclusion: UAE Staff Can Expect a Relaxing End-of-Year Break
The UAE National Day Public Holiday 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting long weekends of the year. With December 2 and 3 confirmed as official public holidays and strong expectations of a holiday shift to December 1, staff across the UAE can look forward to:
⭐ A likely 4-day long weekend
and possibly
⭐ A 5-day break if Monday is added.
The final schedule will be confirmed closer to the holiday, but employees can now begin planning their celebrations, travel, and leave arrangements with confidence.
