Now, it is easier to plan your next long weekend in the UAE. However, residents can now look forward to extra days off when official holidays fall on weekends due to the new tweak in the UAE Public Holidays Transferable Weekends Law.
Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 has officially come into effect at the beginning of 2025. Notably, it has modernized how holidays are observed across the Emirates. So, the major change is: suppose certain national holidays, like the UAE National Day, the New Year, etc, fall on the weekend. In that case, these holidays can be transferred to the start or end of the week.
This decision is a game-changer for the work-life balance in the UAE, where residents have often missed out on extra rest when holidays fall on a regular day off. For example, the Islamic New Year comes on Sunday, which means that many residents did not benefit from an extra holiday. However, that day could now be shifted to weekdays, like Monday, under this law.
Key Highlights of the UAE Public Holidays Transferable Weekends Law
- Transferable holidays: Major national and religious occasions (excluding Eid) can be moved to a weekday.
- Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha: These two longest holidays remain fixed, even if they fall on a weekend.
- No overlap transfers: If two holidays land together, they cannot be shifted.
- Flexibility for Emirates: Each emirate has the right to declare additional holidays.
Why This Matters for You?
This new law is going to open up opportunities for extended weekends and mini gateways. In addition, it will allow you to perform more flexible planning without sacrificing your paid leave. So, now, you can enjoy more time to recharge because there is a minimum of 12 confirmed public holidays in the UAE this year.
Travel planners and HR experts advise syncing federal and lunar-based holidays in your calendar apps because it will help you to stay ahead of changing dates. In addition, it would be great to check with employers, as there are some organizations that may apply the transfer at their discretion.
Looking Ahead
The UAE has consistently worked on improving work-life balance because they have taken many initiatives to support the employees. Recently, the country has also moved the weekend to Saturday and Sunday. Now, this new move is a clear push to help citizens and foreigners to rest, recharge, and spend more quality time with families.
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