December is the month most UAE expats plan around, and the Eid Al Etihad holiday sits in the calendar asking to be stretched into something longer.
In 2026 the timing is on your side. The two-day National Day holiday lands mid-week, so a small amount of annual leave goes a long way. One day off buys you five in a row. Three days off buys you nine.
Here is what to book, and the one caveat that should stop you paying for a non-refundable flight just yet.
The confirmed dates for Eid Al Etihad 2026
UAE National Day, officially Eid Al Etihad, is a two-day public holiday for both the public and private sectors. In 2026 it falls on:
- Wednesday 2 December 2026
- Thursday 3 December 2026
Both are paid days off. Everything else here is about the annual leave you add around them.
Three ways to stretch the holiday
All three options assume a Saturday and Sunday weekend, which is the norm for most private-sector employees. If your company works Saturdays, adjust accordingly.
| Leave days | Dates to book | Break length | Dates off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Fri 4 Dec | 5 days | Wed 2 Dec to Sun 6 Dec |
| 2 days | Mon 30 Nov, Tue 1 Dec | 6 days | Sat 28 Nov to Thu 3 Dec |
| 3 days | Mon 30 Nov, Tue 1 Dec, Fri 4 Dec | 9 days | Sat 28 Nov to Sun 6 Dec |
The one-day option is the best value. The three-day option gives you nine consecutive days, enough for a trip home without spending half of it in transit.
New to the country? Our UAE workplace culture guide explains how holidays and weekends shape the working week.
Why nothing is confirmed yet
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the authorities can move certain public holidays to the start or end of the week so they join up with the weekend. If that happens with National Day 2026, the Wednesday and Thursday dates above could shift, and the leave you booked would no longer line up.
So the sensible sequence is:
- Pencil in your preferred option now and let your manager know.
- Wait for the official announcement before paying for anything non-refundable.
- Submit the formal leave request as soon as the dates are confirmed.
Your employer can schedule annual leave according to business needs, provided it gives reasonable notice. Our guide to annual leave and sick leave rights in the UAE covers the 30-day entitlement in full. One detail worth knowing: public holidays inside your leave block are a separate paid entitlement and should not be deducted from your balance, so the nine-day break costs three days of leave, not five.
December is a busy month for leave requests, so ask early and in writing.
If you have to work on 2 or 3 December
If your team keeps going through public holidays, your employer must either give you a substitute rest day for each holiday worked or pay your normal wage plus a supplement of at least 50% of your basic salary.
The requirement should be communicated properly rather than assumed. Our article on working public holidays without notice explains the rules and what to do if your manager treats the holiday as a normal day.
Key takeaway
One day of annual leave on Friday 4 December turns Eid Al Etihad 2026 into a five-day break, and three days turn it into nine. The dates are based on the current calendar and are not yet official, so tell your manager early but hold off on non-refundable bookings until the announcement lands.
FAQ
Is 2 December 2026 a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. Eid Al Etihad falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 for both public and private sector employees, though the dates may still be adjusted by official announcement.
How many days off do I get for National Day 2026?
The holiday itself is two days. With one day of annual leave you get five consecutive days off, with two you get six, and with three you get nine, assuming a Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Which dates should I book as annual leave for National Day 2026?
For a five-day break, book Friday 4 December. For six days, book Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December. For nine days, book all three.
Can the UAE National Day holiday dates change?
Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 allows the authorities to move certain public holidays to the beginning or end of the week, so wait for official confirmation before making non-refundable travel plans.
Do I get paid if I work on National Day in the UAE?
Yes. If work circumstances require you to be present, your employer must give you a substitute rest day or pay your normal wage plus at least 50% of your basic salary for each holiday worked.
