UAE residents can officially lock in a four-day weekend for Eid Al Fitr 2026, regardless of whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has confirmed that private sector employees will observe the Eid Al Fitr holiday from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, 2026. If Ramadan completes 30 days based on moon sighting, the holiday will automatically extend to Sunday, March 22 — ensuring a four-day break either way.
For federal government employees, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, until Sunday, March 22, with work resuming on Monday, March 23.
The UAE’s official Moon-Sighting Committee will observe the crescent moon on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. If the moon is sighted that evening, Eid will begin on Thursday, March 19. If not, Ramadan will complete 30 days, and Eid will begin on Friday, March 20. However, thanks to Cabinet regulations, day 30 of Ramadan will be counted as an official holiday — keeping the total break at four consecutive days.
Importantly, while the UAE Cabinet may shift certain public holidays to create long weekends, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are exceptions and cannot be moved.
Residents looking to extend their break can take annual leave from Monday, March 16 to Wednesday, March 18 (or 19 depending on scheduling). Combined with the preceding weekend (March 14–15), this could create a nine-day holiday stretch from Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22 — returning to work on Monday, March 23.
