Starting January 1, 2025, UAE residents can look forward to a potential boost in their work-life balance. A significant change to public holiday rules means that if a holiday falls on a weekend, it can now be transferred to a weekday, ensuring you don’t miss out on a well-deserved break.
Public holidays in the UAE often align with the Islamic Hijri calendar, leading to dates that shift each year. Previously, if these holidays fell on a Friday or Saturday (weekend days for most workers), no extra time off was given. However, the revised law guarantees that holidays like New Year’s Day, Islamic New Year, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (PBUH), and National Day can now be moved to either the start or end of the week.
This year, UAE residents will enjoy at least 12 days of official public holidays, with an additional day depending on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days. The flexibility introduced by the law ensures you’ll make the most of these holidays even if they land on a weekend.
However, the two longest holidays — Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha — remain unaffected by this transfer rule. If these celebrations coincide with a weekend, they’ll stay put. Similarly, a public holiday won’t be moved if it overlaps with another holiday on the calendar.
Announced in the summer of 2024, this change is a part of broader constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing work-life balance and employee satisfaction across the UAE. It also provides individual emirates the freedom to declare additional holidays for special occasions, adding more flexibility to the calendar.
For residents, this new system ensures that significant national and religious events are fully appreciated without losing out due to calendar quirks. Whether it’s an extended weekend or a midweek pause, the update promises to give everyone more time to relax, recharge, or celebrate.
