How to Turn the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad Holiday into a Nine-Day Break

The upcoming Eid Al Etihad public holiday in the UAE presents a unique opportunity: by planning smartly, residents can turn what is officially a two-day break into a full nine-day getaway. The holiday is set around Tuesday, 2 December and Wednesday, 3 December 2025, which creates a perfect window for a longer rest.

Here’s how it works. Combine the official holiday with the weekends before and after: the weekend starts Saturday, 30 November then Sunday, 1 December. If you request annual leave for Monday, 1 December and then again Thursday and Friday (4 and 5 December), you’ll get a continuous break from Saturday, 30 November through Sunday, 7 December — nine days in all.

Before you book flights or hotel stays, check how your employer counts annual leave. Some companies count calendar days, meaning public holidays are included in your leave count, whereas others count only working days, which can give you extra time off without using up more leave.

To make the most of this break: submit your leave application early (many will aim to do the same), ensure you still have enough annual-leave days available at the year-end, and be flexible in your dates. Even if your preference for days off is not fully approved, a small adjustment can still extend your break significantly.

Employers may not approve every request — year-end deadlines, operational demands or overlapping staff leave can affect approvals. That’s why clear communication with your manager and a realistic leave plan are key.

With strategic planning, the Eid Al Etihad holiday can become more than just a day off — it can become the last big break of the year.

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