UAE National Day: Will Residents Get a Four-Day or Five-Day Break?
As the year draws to a close, UAE residents are looking forward to the final public holiday of 2025: Eid Al Etihad, the official name for UAE National Day. Marking the 54th anniversary of the Union, this holiday will not only celebrate the country’s founding on December 2, 1971 but also offer residents one last long break before the new year.
With the official dates already set by the UAE Cabinet, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the holiday will translate into a four-day or five-day long weekend.
Official UAE National Day Holiday Dates for 2025
According to Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, the public holidays for Eid Al Etihad fall on:
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
These dates are fixed and do not change each year. However, UAE law allows for certain holidays to be moved to create longer weekends or make scheduling easier for residents.
Could It Become a Five-Day Break?
The public holiday law gives the Cabinet authority to shift holidays — except Eid holidays — to the beginning or end of the workweek. This allows the government to extend long weekends when needed.
Here’s what could happen in 2025:
Scenario 1: A Five-Day Break (Possible but Less Likely)
The Cabinet could declare Monday, December 1 as a public holiday — either by adding it to the schedule or by shifting the December 3 holiday backward.
If Monday becomes a holiday, residents would enjoy:
Saturday + Sunday (weekend)
Monday (possible shifted holiday)
Tuesday, December 2
Wednesday, December 3
That results in a restful five-day weekend.
Scenario 2: A Four-Day Break (More Likely)
The more expected option is that the December 3 holiday will be moved to Monday, December 1. This is a common practice when fixed-date holidays fall midweek.
In this case, residents would get:
Saturday + Sunday
Monday (shifted public holiday)
Tuesday, December 2
This produces a four-day break, similar to past years.
Scenario 3: No Shift (Least Likely)
If no adjustment is made, the holiday will remain on Tuesday and Wednesday. This would give residents only a midweek break, with work resuming on Thursday. Historically, the UAE almost always shifts midweek National Day holidays, so this option is considered unlikely.
What Happened Last Year?
In 2024, the UAE National Day holidays fell on Monday, December 2, and Tuesday, December 3. Residents enjoyed a four-day weekend including the regular Saturday–Sunday weekend. Work resumed on Wednesday, December 4.
This pattern suggests that a four-day break is the most probable outcome again in 2025.
The UAE Cabinet typically announces final holiday adjustments a few weeks before National Day, so residents will have official confirmation closer to the date.
How UAE Public Holidays Are Set
Public holidays in the UAE are governed by Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024. The law outlines how each type of holiday is determined:
1. Non-Eid Holidays (Fixed Dates)
These include National Day and New Year’s Day.
They follow the Gregorian calendar.
The Cabinet may shift them to the start or end of the week to create long weekends.
2. Islamic Holidays
These include Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and the Prophet’s Birthday.
They follow the Islamic Hijri calendar.
Their dates depend on official moon sightings.
These holidays cannot be shifted by the Cabinet.
3. Local Government Holidays
Emirates can declare additional public holidays for specific departments or community events when necessary.
Why the UAE Shifts Holidays
The practice of moving certain holidays helps:
support business and tourism
give families more time together
make travel easier
improve work-life balance
encourage participation in national celebrations
Because National Day is one of the biggest celebrations in the country, the UAE often shifts dates to support nationwide festivities.
The Bottom Line
For now, the official UAE National Day holiday remains December 2 and 3, 2025. However, based on past trends and the flexibility allowed by the public holiday law:
✔ A four-day break is most likely
✔ A five-day break is possible but less certain
✔ Final confirmation will arrive closer to December
UAE residents can look forward to celebrating the spirit of the Union — and enjoying the last long weekend of the year.