Before you book travel

Flight and hotel prices rise sharply around the National Day weekend. If you are travelling on a visa that is being renewed, or you have pending fines or cases, check your status before you book:

  1. 1

    Step 1: Check your residence visa and Emirates ID validity

    Make sure your residency will still be valid on your return date, and that your passport has enough validity for your destination.

  2. 2

    Step 2: Check for travel restrictions

    If you have an unpaid debt, rent dispute or open case, confirm you have no travel ban before going to the airport.

  3. 3

    Step 3: Confirm your leave in writing

    Keep the approved leave request so there is no dispute about absence when you return.

The official dates

Under the UAE’s official public-holiday calendar, set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, National Day is marked with a two-day holiday on 2 and 3 December. In 2026, these dates fall on a Wednesday and Thursday.

The holiday applies to federal and local government employees and to private-sector employees. It is the last public holiday of 2026.

The same resolution allows the Cabinet to move eligible holidays, apart from the Eid holidays, to the beginning or end of the week. As of 3 November 2026, no change to the National Day dates had been announced. If a shift is made, it is usually announced a few weeks beforehand.

How to turn it into a longer break

The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday for most employees. With a Wednesday–Thursday holiday, these combinations work:

One leave day: take Friday 4 December and you are off from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December — five days.

Two leave days: take Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December and you are off from Saturday 28 November to Thursday 3 December — six days.

Three leave days: take 30 November, 1 December and 4 December and you are off from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December — nine days.

Private-sector employees: pay and working on the holiday

Public holidays are paid days for private-sector employees. If your employer needs you to work on 2 or 3 December, UAE labour law requires that you receive a substitute day off or additional pay for that day, as set out in the executive regulations. Ask HR how your company applies this before the holiday.

Leave approval remains your employer’s decision. Annual leave requests around public holidays are popular, so submit them early and in writing.