Long weekends are among the few things that unite working people across professions and industries. The year 2025 has already offered several extended breaks, and residents of the UAE can expect another welcome one this winter thanks to the country’s National Day, which celebrates the unification of the Emirates.
In 2025, the UAE will mark its 54th National Day on Tuesday, December 2. According to the UAE public holidays law, December 2 and 3 are designated as official holidays every year. If the schedule remains unchanged, residents will enjoy a midweek two-day break. However, the law allows holidays to be moved to the beginning or end of the week, creating more extended weekends for better rest and travel opportunities.
This means that Monday, December 1, could also be declared a holiday or serve as a replacement for December 3. If Monday is added to the celebration, residents will get a five-day weekend from Friday, November 28, to Tuesday, December 2. A more likely scenario would shift the December 3 holiday to Monday, giving a four-day break that still allows families to travel or unwind — a far better option than two separate days off that break the work rhythm.
New holiday transfer system and how it changes vacation planning
The updated public holidays law means that any non-Eid holidays can now be shifted to the start or end of the week. The system is already in use — for example, the Islamic New Year, traditionally dependent on moon sightings, was officially moved to a Friday this year, giving residents extra time to prepare.
National Day follows immediately after UAE Commemoration Day, which falls on Sunday, November 30, and is not always observed as a public holiday. The holiday law allows local governments to declare additional days off not listed in the federal resolution, meaning Dubai could include Commemoration Day in the extended National Day weekend. However, no official confirmation has been made yet.
Every December 2, the UAE holds nationwide celebrations attended by the rulers of all seven emirates. Extended holidays traditionally boost domestic tourism — hotels in coastal areas fill up quickly, and short-term rental markets experience spikes in bookings. Developers tracking UAE real estate news today and the Dubai property market anticipate increased demand in December. The amendment introduced in early 2025 allowed holidays falling on weekends to be moved to weekdays, addressing situations in which major celebrations overlapped with weekends and effectively reducing residents’ time off.
Key changes under the updated law include:
- Holidays that fall on weekends are now moved to weekdays
- Non-Eid holidays can be shifted to the start or end of the week
- Each emirate may add its own public holidays
- Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha remain fixed and non-transferable
For example, the Islamic New Year traditionally falls on the first day of Muharram. In 2024, that date was Sunday, July 7 — a day off on paper but not in practice, since Sunday is already part of the weekend. Under the new rules, such holidays will automatically move to a working day, ensuring residents don’t lose their extra rest days.
Why the two most extended holidays are exempt from transfers
In 2025, residents will enjoy at least 12 public holidays, with one additional day depending on the length of Ramadan — either 29 or 30 days. The UAE’s constitution was amended in mid-2024 to allow most holidays to be moved when necessary. If New Year’s Day, the Islamic New Year, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, or National Day fall on a weekend, the Cabinet may shift them to another weekday.
The official wording of the law clarifies one exception: “Except for Eid holidays, the Cabinet may move any public holiday to the beginning or end of the week.” Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha remain fixed even if some days overlap with weekends. Still, the new system offers several advantages:
- More travel opportunities without using annual leave
- Predictability for family trip planning
- Better work-life balance
- A boost to domestic tourism
The law also states that holidays cannot be moved if they coincide with another public holiday. While no such overlap occurs in 2025, future calendar alignments could see Eid Al Fitr coincide with New Year’s Day or National Day. A previous resolution also gave each emirate the authority to declare additional public holidays at its discretion. Dubai, for instance, could introduce an extra day off if desired. Official weekends in the UAE have been Saturday and Sunday since 2022, replacing the former Friday–Saturday schedule. For expatriates planning long-term residence and owning property or other assets in the Emirates, it’s important to consider financial aspects of life in the country. Since there is no Dubai inheritance tax, transferring real estate and other assets to future generations is straightforward and free from government deductions — a significant advantage for families planning their future in the UAE.
