As we welcome the new year of 2025, many of us are already dreaming about our next getaway. If you’re living and working in the UAE, it’s important to know your rights regarding annual leave and public holidays. According to UAE labor law, every employee is entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year after completing one year with their employer. On top of that, you are also entitled to fully paid leave during public holidays.
Starting next year, the law will undergo changes to ensure that public holidays that fall on weekends will be observed on weekdays. For instance, if Islamic New Year falls on a Sunday, employees will get the following Monday off. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy extended weekends throughout the year, especially since many public holidays are strategically placed around weekends. Below, we provide you with tips on how to make the most out of your annual leave in 2025.
*Keep in mind that some holiday dates may be confirmed closer to the actual time, as they are dependent on moon sightings.
UAE Holidays in 2025
Get 5 Days Off in the New Year with Just 2 Days of Leave
The UAE government has confirmed that Wednesday, January 1, will be a public holiday. By taking just two days of annual leave, you can enjoy a delightful five-day weekend.
- Book these days off: Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3.
Enjoy 9 Days for Eid Al Fitr with 2 or 3 Days of Annual Leave
The start of Eid Al Fitr depends on moon sightings. If Ramadan is 29 days this year, the holiday will commence on Sunday, March 30, giving you a four-day weekend. If Ramadan extends to 30 days, the holiday would begin on Monday, March 31, and end on Wednesday, April 2, providing a five-day weekend. By utilizing 2 or 3 days of leave, you can extend this to a nine-day holiday.
- Book these days off: Wednesday, April 2, to Friday, April 4, or Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, depending on the moon sighting.
9 Days Off for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha with 3 Days of Leave
This holiday also hinges on moon sightings. If the calendar aligns, you could get a holiday from Thursday, June 5 (Arafat Day) to Sunday, June 8 (Eid Al Adha), resulting in a four-day long weekend. However, please note that the new law regarding weekend holidays does not apply to Eid Al Adha. By taking three days of leave, you can stretch this into a nine-day break.
- Book these days off: Monday, June 2, to Wednesday, June 4.
5 Days Off for Islamic New Year with 2 Days of Leave
The Islamic New Year is yet another holiday that will depend on moon sightings. Predictions suggest that it will fall on Thursday, June 26. If it aligns with a 30-day month for Dhu Al Hijjah, you can enjoy a long five-day weekend by taking just two days of leave.
- Book these days off: Friday, June 27, and Monday, June 30, if Islamic New Year is on Thursday, June 26; or Thursday, June 26, and Monday, June 30, if it falls on Friday, June 27.
5 Days Off for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday with 2 Days of Leave
Another holiday that relies on moon sightings is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH), which is anticipated to occur on Friday, September 5. By taking two days of leave, you can enjoy a refreshing five-day weekend.
- Book these days off: Thursday, September 4, and Monday, September 8.
9 Days Off for National Day with 3 Days of Leave
The UAE National Day celebrations are scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3. By taking an additional two days off, you can transform this into a remarkable nine-day holiday. Note that UAE Commemoration Day falls on Monday, December 1, but it has not been designated as a public holiday for 2025.
- Book these days off: Monday, December 1, Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5.
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