How the UAE holiday transfer rule works
Since 1 January 2025, Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 has governed whether a mid-week public holiday can be moved to either edge of the working week. It replaced Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2019. A move is not automatic: the UAE Cabinet must issue a specific decision each year confirming which holidays, if any, will be shifted.
Which holidays can and cannot move
| Holiday | Can it be moved? |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day, Islamic New Year, Prophet’s Birthday, Arafah Day, National Day | Yes, but only if it falls on a weekday |
| Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha | No, because the dates are tied to Islamic rituals |
A holiday also cannot be moved if it coincides with another public holiday or already falls on a weekend.
What this means for 2027
- New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January gives a three-day weekend. The first working day is Monday 4 January.
- Eid Al Fitr: expected to begin on 9 March and last three or four days. If Ramadan completes 30 days, 12 March is added, and with the weekend that could make a six-day break.
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: expected from Saturday 15 May to Tuesday 18 May, a four-day break.
- Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday: expected on Sunday 6 June and Saturday 14 August. On those expected dates both fall on a weekend, so the weekend limit in the rule would apply.
- Eid Al Etihad: Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December, which can make a four-day break to Sunday 5 December.
Islamic dates depend on moon sighting, so treat all of them as expected until announced. For the full list, see our 2027 public holiday dates, and for how the yearly total is counted, our guide on 12 or 13 public holidays.
Before you book
Wait for the Cabinet’s official annual holiday schedule and confirm with HR before booking flights or leave, especially for any holiday the rule could move.
