The UAE is well-known for its generous public holidays, and in 2025, you can strategically plan your annual leave to maximize your time off. By using just 19 days of annual leave, you can enjoy a staggering 49 days off throughout the year.
If you plan it right, you can enjoy extended breaks without exhausting your leave balance. Here’s how you can do it:
January | New Year’s Day
Public holiday: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Annual leave: Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3, 2025
Total break: 5 days (including the weekend)
Start the year on a high note by taking just two days off after New Year’s Day. This way, you turn the mid-week holiday into an extended five-day break, perfect for a short getaway or a relaxed start to the year.
April | Eid Al Fitr
Public holiday: Monday, March 31, to Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Annual leave: Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, 2025
Total break: 9 days (including both weekends)
Eid Al Fitr is always a great time for a long holiday. With the UAE government likely granting three days off, taking two extra leave days means you can enjoy nine days of vacation. If you’re looking for an even longer escape, adding five more leave days can stretch your break to two whole weeks!
May & June | Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
Public holiday: Friday, May 30, to Monday, June 2, 2025
Annual leave: 4 days (before or after the holiday)
Total break: 10 days (including both weekends)
Eid Al Adha typically brings a four-day public holiday. By taking four extra leave days either before or after, you can extend your break to an amazing 10 days, giving you plenty of time to travel or unwind.
June | Islamic New Year
Public holiday: Friday, June 27, 2025
Annual leave: Monday, June 23, to Thursday, June 26, 2025
Total break: 9 days (including both weekends)
Islamic New Year might only be a single-day holiday, but if you take four days off before it, you get nine days of rest. This is perfect for those who need a mid-year recharge before the second half of 2025.
December | Commemoration Day & Eid Al Etihad
Public holiday: Monday, December 1, to Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Annual leave: Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025
Total break: 9 days (including both weekends)
End the year with a well-earned holiday by taking just two extra leave days. This will give you nine days off, making it the perfect time to travel or relax with family before welcoming 2026.
Final Breakdown: How to Get 49 Days Off
Here’s a quick summary of how you can maximize your leave days:
- January: 5 days off (using 2 leave days)
- April: 9 days off (using 2 leave days)
- May/June: 10 days off (using 4 leave days)
- June: 9 days off (using 4 leave days)
- December: 9 days off (using 2 leave days)
This brings the total to 42 days off using just 14 leave days. But if you want the full 49 days off, just add 5 more leave days in April to extend your Eid break.
Why This Strategy Works
The UAE’s public holidays are mostly clustered around religious and national celebrations. By planning your leave around them, you can take full advantage of extended weekends and consecutive days off without using too many annual leave days.
Book Your Leave Early!
Since many employees will try to take advantage of this strategy, it’s best to submit your leave requests early to secure your preferred dates. This is especially important if you work in industries where holidays require rotation among employees.
Final Thoughts
By being smart with your leave planning, you can maximize your work-life balance in 2025. Whether you choose to travel, relax, or spend quality time with loved ones, this strategic approach will ensure you get the most out of your time off while preserving your leave days for future plans. Start planning now and make 2025 your most rewarding year yet!
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