Dubai has officially announced January 1, 2025, as a public holiday for government employees, according to a statement from the Human Resources Department. Public sector workers will enjoy a day off on the New Year holiday, with regular working hours resuming on January 2.
This decision excludes departments and institutions operating on shift systems or those involved in critical public services. Employees in these sectors will continue their duties as required.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has also confirmed that January 1 will be a public holiday for both government and private sector employees across the UAE. This marks the first official public holiday of the upcoming year.
In addition to this announcement, Ajman and Sharjah have declared the same holiday for their government employees, aligning with Dubai’s directive. The UAE residents can look forward to a total of up to 13 public holidays in 2025, as outlined by the UAE Cabinet. Among these, the holiday schedule for the Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr is expected to see slight changes in the coming year.
The New Year holiday announcement ensures a unified approach across multiple emirates while accommodating the operational needs of essential services.