Skip to content

Connecting business. Building understanding. Advancing peace.

Daily BriefVerify a certificateDue Diligence
Become a Member

UAE Announces Five-Day National Day Holiday for Public and Private Sectors

The UAE has announced a statutory holiday for the 55th National Day (Eid Al Etihad), granting a five-day break from December 2 to December 6, 2026. Employees will receive three paid leave days, combining with the weekend, with normal operations resuming on Monday, December 7, 2026. Unified labour rules extend the same holiday entitlement to private sector enterprises.

Published Source: Arabian Business
Issuing authority
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
November 13, 2026
Effective date
December 2, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Illustration: An empty modern corporate office floor in a high-rise tower in Dubai or Abu Dhabi overlooking the city skyline during daytime, with clea
Illustration

The UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the official statutory holiday timetable on November 13, 2026.

Employees will receive a three-day paid leave from Wednesday, December 2, to Friday, December 4, 2026, in observance of the 55th National Day (Eid Al Etihad). When combined with the standard Saturday–Sunday weekend, the announcement establishes a continuous five-day work break.

Official operations across federal entities and ministries are scheduled to resume on Monday, December 7, 2026. The authorities noted that unified national labour regulations apply equal holiday allocations across private sector companies.

Sources

More from Policy & Legal Updates

View all
Policy & Legal Updates
Source: Emirates 24|7

UAE Supreme Court Overturns AED 4.4 Million Bank Judgment Over Compound Interest

The UAE Federal Supreme Court overturned an appellate ruling ordering a borrower and a guarantor to jointly pay approximately AED 4.4 million to a bank. The apex court reiterated statutory bans prohibiting licensed financial institutions from charging compound interest on credit facilities. The case was remitted to the lower court for reconsideration after judges failed to evaluate defence arguments regarding debt calculation and breach notification.

Policy & Legal Updates
Source: FinTech Global

UAE Islamic Banks Face Product and Document Reviews Under New Central Bank Regulations

The UAE has introduced Central Bank Regulation No. 1/2026, establishing a formal supervisory framework for Islamic financial institutions and takaful operators. According to law firm Pinsent Masons, the rules could prompt banks, insurers, and corporate borrowers to review and update documentation for sharia-compliant financial products. The regulation sets detailed standards for Islamic financing structures including murabaha, ijarah, and mudaraba.

The UECN Brief

Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.

Language
Subscriptions

Double opt-in: we send a confirmation link. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy