No, Christmas Day is not a public holiday in the UAE. December 25 does not appear on the official list of UAE public holidays under the Cabinet resolution that came into force on January 1, 2025.
If you’re planning your festive season in the Emirates, here’s what the law says—and what options you might have.
Official UAE Public Holidays Under Cabinet Resolution
The UAE Cabinet resolution regulating holidays for both public and private sectors limits official paid time off to specific national and religious occasions:
- New Year’s Day
- Eid Al Fitr
- Arafah Day
- Eid Al Adha
- Hijri New Year
- The Prophet’s Birthday
- UAE National Day
Christmas Day, observed on December 25, does not feature on this list.
This means employers are not legally required to grant time off on December 25. If you work a standard schedule, Christmas Day is a regular working day under UAE law.
The Good News: New Year’s Day Long Weekend
While Christmas isn’t recognised, New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026, is a public holiday.
The UAE government has announced that Friday will be observed as a remote working day for government entities. This creates an extended weekend for many employees across the public sector.
Combined with the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, government employees could enjoy four consecutive days off from January 1-4, 2026.
What About Private Sector Employees?
Despite Christmas not being an official holiday, the festive season remains widely marked across the UAE. The country’s large international workforce means many organisations accommodate the holiday season.
Common private sector arrangements include:
- Internal leave days on December 25
- Flexible working arrangements during the festive period
- Early office closures on Christmas Day
- Extended winter breaks for schools
These arrangements remain discretionary and are not mandated by law. Your entitlement depends entirely on your employer’s policies, particularly in sectors with large international workforces.
Multinational firms and schools are more likely to grant Christmas leave as part of their organisational policies.
Know Your Rights If You Work on December 25
Since Christmas is not an official holiday, working on December 25 does not trigger the holiday compensation rules under UAE Labour Law.
Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 guarantees compensation only for working during official public holidays. This includes either:
- An alternative day off, or
- Regular wages plus a minimum 50% bonus
These protections apply to days like Eid, National Day, and New Year’s Day—but not Christmas.
If your employer grants December 25 as a company holiday and then asks you to work, check your employment contract for specific policies regarding internal leave days.
Strategic Leave Planning for the Festive Season
Many UAE residents strategically combine annual leave with public holidays to create extended breaks.
For the 2025/2026 festive period, consider this approach:
- Take annual leave from December 24-31
- New Year’s Day (January 1) is a public holiday
- Friday, January 2 is a remote working day for government
- Weekend falls on January 3-4
This strategy could transform a few days of annual leave into an extended festive break.
Key Takeaway
Christmas is not a public holiday in the UAE, and employers have no legal obligation to provide time off on December 25. However, many private companies, multinational firms, and schools grant internal leave or flexible arrangements during the festive season. New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026) is an official public holiday, with government employees enjoying an extended weekend through January 4.
FAQs
Is December 25 a public holiday in the UAE?
No. Christmas Day is not listed among the UAE’s official public holidays. The Cabinet resolution regulating holidays covers only specific national and religious occasions including New Year’s Day, Eid celebrations, Hijri New Year, Prophet’s Birthday, and UAE National Day.
Do UAE private sector employees get Christmas off?
There is no legal requirement. Some private companies, particularly multinational firms and those with large international workforces, may grant internal leave or flexible arrangements on December 25. This remains at the employer’s discretion.
What compensation do I get for working on Christmas in the UAE?
Since Christmas is not an official public holiday, the UAE Labour Law compensation rules for holiday work do not apply. If you work on December 25, you receive your standard wages unless your employer has specific internal policies.
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. New Year’s Day (January 1) is an official public holiday in the UAE for both public and private sector employees. In 2026, the government has also declared January 2 as a remote working day for federal entities.
Can I request annual leave for Christmas in the UAE?
Yes. You can apply for annual leave to take December 25 off, subject to your employer’s approval and leave policies. Under UAE Labour Law, employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave after completing one year of service.
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