UAE Private Sector Gets Four Day National Day Weekend

Private sector employees in the UAE will have a four-day break for Eid Al Etihad, with paid holidays on December 1st and 2nd, 2025, in combination with the weekend. The UAE government also set December 1st and 2nd as paid holidays for ministries and federal entities, with work resuming on December 3rd, 2025. A unified holiday policy in the country ensures public and private sector workers receive an equal number of breaks throughout the year. A Cabinet resolution that took effect on January 1st, 2025 allows certain public holidays to be transferred to the start or end of the week if they fall on a weekday. The National Day break had initially been set for December 2nd and 3rd, but it has been moved to December 1st and 2nd under this policy. Eid Al Etihad commemorates the historic moment on December 2nd, 1971, when the seven emirates came together to form the UAE. Celebrations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other emirates typically include cultural showcases, heritage parades, family activities, and fireworks, with Dubai’s programme featuring live concerts and sporting events.