UAE announces Eid Al Fitr 2026 holidays with four-day break
Private sector leave depends on Ramadan duration
DUBAI – The UAE has officially announced the Eid Al Fitr holiday dates for 2026, confirming a four-day break for federal government employees.
The decision follows established procedures linked to the moon sighting at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Ministries and public sector institutions across the country will suspend operations as residents prepare to mark one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
Authorities confirmed that federal ministries, institutions and public sector entities will observe the holiday from Thursday, March 19, until Sunday, March 22, 2026. Official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23.
Federal closure
The announcement was issued by the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, confirming that all federal entities will close during the four-day period. The break applies nationwide and aligns with the conclusion of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
عطلة عيد الفطر في الحكومة الاتحادية من 19 إلى 22 مارس 2026 pic.twitter.com/6Y535tJOc5
— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) February 23, 2026
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of a month defined by fasting from dawn to sunset, alongside prayer, charity and community gatherings. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with special congregational prayers, family visits and festive meals.
Officials have advised employees and service users to take note of the closure dates and plan ahead. Public services and government operations are expected to resume smoothly once offices reopen on March 23.
Private sector dates
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation also confirmed the holiday schedule for private sector employees. For private companies across the UAE, the Eid Al Fitr holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, until Saturday, March 21, 2026.
However, authorities clarified that the final duration of the break will depend on the length of Ramadan. If the holy month lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday will be extended to Sunday, March 22, bringing it in line with the federal government schedule.
This conditional extension follows established UAE guidelines, under which Eid holidays span from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Depending on the lunar cycle, this can result in a four-day or five-day holiday period.
Moon sighting
The precise start of Eid Al Fitr hinges on the sighting of the new crescent moon. In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee will convene on the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on March 18, 2026, to observe the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal.
If the crescent moon is sighted on the evening of March 18, Ramadan will conclude that day and Eid Al Fitr will begin on March 19. If the moon is not sighted, Ramadan will complete 30 days, meaning fasting will continue on March 19 and Eid will commence on March 20.
This process follows the Islamic lunar calendar, under which each new month begins with the physical sighting of the crescent. The determination affects not only the timing of Eid prayers and festivities but also the final length of the official holiday for both public and private sector employees.
The announcement applies across all seven emirates, ensuring uniformity in holiday observance nationwide. Citizens and residents are encouraged to plan travel and festive arrangements in line with the confirmed dates, as the country prepares for one of the most anticipated breaks of the year.