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The UAE government has announced that public sector employees will receive a three-day paid holiday for Eid Al Fitr 2025. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) confirmed on Monday (March 17) that government employees will be on paid leave for the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar that marks the end of Ramadan. The break can potentially extend to five days depending on the official moon sighting.

How long is the Eid Al Fitr holiday in UAE?

The exact dates of the holiday will be determined by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on March 29, the 29th night of Ramadan. Islamic months follow the lunar calendar, meaning they can be either 29 or 30 days long. Here’s what to expect based on the possible moon sighting outcomes: • If the crescent moon is sighted on March 29 (indicating Ramadan will last 29 days), Eid Al Fitr will be on Sunday, March 30. The official public sector holiday will run from March 30 to April 1 (Sunday to Tuesday), giving government workers a four-day break including Saturday. • If the crescent moon is NOT sighted on March 29 (indicating Ramadan will complete 30 days), Eid Al Fitr will fall on Monday, March 31. The public sector holiday will then be from March 31 to April 2 (Monday to Wednesday), extending the break to five days when combined with the preceding weekend.

UAE residents set for the first long weekend of 2025

The Eid Al Fitr break marks the first extended public holiday of the year in the UAE, giving many residents the opportunity to travel, spend time with family, or take part in festive celebrations. The Dubai Astronomy Group has predicted that Ramadan is likely to last 30 days, meaning Eid Al Fitr will most likely be on Monday, March 31, leading to a five-day break for government workers. The final confirmation of the holiday period will come from the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on March 29. Residents are encouraged to participate in the traditional moon-sighting practice, a significant cultural and religious observance that determines the start of Islamic months. For private sector workers, the UAE government is expected to issue a separate announcement regarding their official Eid holidays. ICA/Expat Media
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