Dubai, August 20, 2025: The UAE public holiday law has quietly changed the way residents look at their calendars. What once felt like “lost holidays” when they landed on weekends are now being shifted to weekdays, giving everyone more long weekends to rest, travel, or just spend time with family. For many, this update to the UAE public holiday law has been one of the simplest yet most welcome changes of the year.

Why Did the UAE Public Holiday Law Change?

Until recently, many residents felt shortchanged when a much-anticipated public holiday fell on a Saturday or Sunday. After all, if you’re already off work, it doesn’t feel like a holiday at all.

The updated UAE public holiday law now fixes this issue. If New Year’s Day, Islamic New Year, the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, or National Day land on a weekend, the holiday can be moved to the start or end of the week.

In simple terms, the law makes sure nobody “loses” their holiday. Instead, you gain a weekday break, which often turns into a long weekend.

Why Residents Are Loving the Change?

For many UAE residents, the update has added real value to their personal lives. It means more time for family, short getaways, and even a chance to catch up on rest without worrying about office deadlines.

“Last year, the Islamic New Year was on a Sunday, and it felt like we got nothing out of it. This year, with the new rule, the holiday was moved to a weekday. I took my kids to Abu Dhabi for a mini break, something we couldn’t have done otherwise,” said Rania, a Dubai resident.

The government’s move shows a clear focus on work-life balance. Long weekends are not just about fun; they also give people a chance to recharge, which in turn helps productivity when they return to work.

What Holidays Does the Law Cover?

The UAE public holiday law covers most of the one-day national and Islamic holidays, such as:

• New Year’s Day
• Islamic New Year
• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
• UAE National Day

The exception is Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. These are already multi-day holidays and remain fixed, even if they overlap with weekends.

There’s also a safeguard: if two holidays fall on the same date, they cannot both be moved. This avoids confusion and keeps the yearly calendar neat and predictable.

Flexibility For Each Emirate

A unique part of the UAE public holiday law is that each emirate has the power to add extra days off if it wishes. So, in theory, Dubai or Sharjah could one day decide to add an additional holiday for a local celebration. While we haven’t seen this yet, the option gives flexibility for the future.

It’s another example of how the UAE blends tradition with practicality, ensuring holidays feel meaningful while also supporting modern lifestyles.

How Many Days Off Can You Expect in 2025?

Thanks to the updated UAE public holiday law, residents are set to enjoy at least 12 days off this year, with the possibility of an extra day depending on the length of Ramadan. Combined with weekends, that’s several opportunities for well-earned breaks throughout the year.

“I usually fly home when there’s a long weekend. Before, if a holiday fell on Friday or Saturday, it didn’t help me. Now, I know I can plan trips better. It feels like we finally get the benefit of every holiday,” Ali, an expat from India working in Sharjah, explained.

A Small Change, A Big Impact

The new UAE public holiday law may look like a small adjustment on paper, but its impact has been huge for everyday life. More long weekends mean more time with loved ones, better chances to plan, and even a stronger sense of balance in a busy work-driven culture.

For a country built on diversity and hard work, ensuring its people enjoy their holidays fully is a step that has been warmly welcomed.

Because in the end, holidays aren’t just about days off, they’re about creating memories, finding balance, and celebrating together.

Also Read: Dubai School Holiday Calendar 2025–2026: Plan Holidays Ahead