By Staff Reporter

As the New Year approaches, UAE residents are already mapping out their 2026 travel plans. With a bit of strategic planning and early leave requests, you can combine annual leave with public holidays to enjoy long, uninterrupted breaks.

The UAE will observe seven official public holidays next year, set out under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024. Islamic holiday dates below are based on predictions from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD).

How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026

1. New Year Holiday

Public Holiday: January 1
Book: Friday, January 2
Result: One leave day turns your weekend into a 4-day break.

2. Eid Al Fitr

Public Holidays: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22
Book: March 16–19 (four days)
Result: Using 5 days of leave gives you a 7-day break.

3. Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha

Public Holidays:

• Arafat Day – Tuesday, May 26

• Eid Al Adha – Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29

Book: Monday, May 25
Result: Just 1 leave day unlocks a 9-day break when combined with both weekends.

4. Islamic New Year

Public Holiday: June 17 (Wednesday)
Book: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19
Result: Two annual leave days create a 5-day long weekend.

5. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

Public Holiday: Tuesday, August 25
Book: Monday, August 24
Result: One annual leave day gives you a 4-day break.

6. UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)

Public Holidays:

• Commemoration Day – Tuesday, December 1

• National Day – Wednesday, December 2 & Thursday, December 3

Book: Monday, November 30; Tuesday, December 1; Friday, December 4
Result: Three leave days give you a 9-day holiday.

Final Calculation

• Total public holiday days: 13

• Total annual leave used: 9

• Total days away from work: 38 days

What Is ‘Sandwich Leave’?

Under Article 29(7) of the UAE Federal Labour Law, public holidays that fall within your approved annual leave will still count as part of your leave—unless your employment contract states otherwise.

This is commonly known as sandwich leave and means employees cannot exclude public holidays from their annual leave tally if those days fall inside a booked leave period.

Three Tips for Securing Your Ideal Leave in 2026

1. Plan Early

Peak periods—like school holidays and Eid—fill up quickly. Submit requests ahead of time.

2. Use Official HR Channels

Always file leave requests through your company’s approved system for transparency.

3. Stay Flexible

Your preferred dates might clash with business needs. Be open to alternatives.

Common Reasons Leave Gets Rejected

• Operational demands during peak periods

• Multiple overlapping requests among team members

• Late applications or attempts to repeatedly bridge holidays

• Insufficient leave balance

Important Note

These calculations assume a Saturday–Sunday weekend, and Islamic holiday dates are subject to moon sightings. Official holiday announcements may shift based on UAE government updates and company-specific policies.