Public Holidays and Ramadan Business Hours

Public holidays in 2026

Source: UAE Government Portal: Public holidays; MOHRE: Thursday, 1 January 2026 a paid public holiday for the private sector; MOHRE: Eid Al Fitr holiday announced for the private sector (2026); Emirates News Agency (WAM): 26 to 29 May Eid Al Adha holiday for the private sector (2026); Khaleej Times: UAE announces Hijri New Year holiday for the public and private sectors (June 2026); Gulf News: UAE declares public holiday for the Prophet's birthday (August 2026); Gulf News: UAE National Day 2026 holiday guide; Khaleej Times: UAE National Day holidays 2026 (October 2026)^{1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}

Dates for 2027 are set by the Cabinet and announced through the year. Check them before you book travel or set deadlines.

How the holiday rules work

• The same list applies to the public and private sectors, and private-sector staff get these days with full pay.
• Islamic holidays are fixed by moon sighting, so the final dates come only days ahead.
• A holiday that falls on a weekend or on another holiday is not moved to a working day.
• The Cabinet can move holidays other than Eid to the start or end of the week. In 2026 the Hijri New Year holiday was moved to Monday 15 June.

Source: UAE Government Portal: Public holidays; MOHRE: Thursday, 1 January 2026 a paid public holiday for the private sector; Gulf News: UAE National Day 2026 holiday guide; Khaleej Times: UAE announces Hijri New Year holiday for the public and private sectors (June 2026)^1,3,8,6

Working hours in Ramadan

Source: MOHRE: Dear worker, know your rights (working hours); UAE Government Portal: Ramadan; UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet; FAHR: Official working hours in Ramadan 2026 for federal entities^12,10,2,13

The shorter day applies to Muslim and non-Muslim employees alike. Private companies may use flexible hours or remote work within the shorter day, and federal entities could let up to 70% of staff work remotely on Fridays in Ramadan 2026.^10,11,13

Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday 8 February, with Eid Al Fitr on 9 or 10 March, subject to moon sighting.¹⁴

Doing business in Ramadan

Non-Muslims do not have to fast, and in Dubai restaurants operate as normal. Not eating, drinking or smoking in public during fasting hours is seen as an act of kindness, and people greet each other with "Ramadan Kareem".¹⁵

Plan meetings for the morning, expect slower replies near Eid, and accept an invitation to iftar if you get one.