Paid Day Off
When you do not work on an applicable official holiday, the holiday is generally a paid day off for covered private-sector employees. It is not automatically an unpaid absence.
UAE Employment · Holiday Entitlements
UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator Estimate Your Holiday Earnings
Use the UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator to estimate your holiday-work compensation in AED. Enter your monthly and basic salary, the number of public holidays worked, and your preferred compensation method to understand the difference between additional pay and substitute rest days.
Free Estimate · AED Currency · Editable Inputs · General Private-Sector Framework
HOLIDAY PAY EXAMPLEAED · Illustration
Illustrative Additional Holiday Compensation
AED 150.00
Example: AED 100 Basic Daily Wage × 50% × 3 Days
Holiday Days Worked3 Days
Basic Daily WageAED 100
✓ Clear Pay Breakdown
◇ Monthly Or Daily Pay
↗ Official Rule References
▣ Mobile Friendly
Start With Your Salary
UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator
Enter your salary details and the number of public holidays you actually worked. The estimate uses a daily wage based on the monthly salary divided by your selected days-per-month assumption, then calculates the additional 50% basic-wage premium for the pay-instead-of-leave option. Your normal wage is shown separately so you can understand the calculation.
Enter salary amounts in AED. This tool treats the monthly total salary and basic salary as separate figures. The 26-day option is an illustrative alternative, not a statement that every contract must use that divisor.
Estimated Holiday Compensation
AED 150.00
Estimated additional compensation before any prior payment
Normal Daily Wage EstimateAED 200.00
Basic Daily Wage EstimateAED 100.00
Additional 50% PremiumAED 150.00
Normal Wage For Holiday DaysAED 600.00
Substitute Rest Days0 days
Less Existing PaymentAED 0.00
This is a planning estimate. The actual amount due depends on applicable law, the employee category, contract terms, payroll treatment and whether substitute leave has already been granted.
Legal reference: Article 28 of the UAE private-sector Labour Law provides for a paid public holiday. If work is required on the holiday, the employer must provide another day off for each day worked, or pay the normal wage for that day plus an increase of at least 50% of the basic wage for that day. Read the official UAE Government holiday-pay guidance.
Know The Difference
How Public Holiday Pay Works In The UAE
Public holidays are paid days off under the general UAE private-sector labour framework. If your employer requires you to work on an official holiday, the statutory framework describes two compensation routes. Understanding the distinction helps you review a payslip, discuss a roster, or estimate the value of holiday work without assuming every employee has the same payroll arrangement.
Pay Plus Premium
Where the cash-compensation route applies, the normal wage for the holiday day is combined with an increase of at least 50% of that day's basic wage under Article 28.
Substitute Rest Day
The alternative described in Article 28 is another day off for each public holiday worked. The calculator displays the number of substitute days separately from a cash estimate.
Calculation Method
How The Calculator Estimates Holiday Earnings
The UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator separates normal daily wage from the additional premium calculated on basic daily wage. That distinction matters because a salary package may include basic salary and other allowances. The additional percentage in the general rule is tied to basic wage, not automatically to the entire monthly package.
Step 1: Estimate The Daily Wage
The tool divides monthly total salary by the selected divisor to estimate normal daily wage. It separately divides monthly basic salary by the same divisor to estimate basic daily wage. The divisor is a user-selected assumption, not a universal legal conclusion.
Step 2: Calculate The Premium
The minimum additional premium is estimated as basic daily wage multiplied by 50%, then multiplied by the number of public holidays worked. For three days and a basic daily wage of AED 100, the additional premium is AED 150.
Step 3: Review The Alternative
If substitute rest days are selected, the calculator shows the number of rest days corresponding to the entered holiday days. It does not add a cash premium as though both routes necessarily apply together. Confirm the actual arrangement with payroll and applicable rules.
Formula Used
Normal daily wage estimate
Monthly total salary ÷ selected days divisor
Basic daily wage estimate
Monthly basic salary ÷ selected days divisor
Minimum additional premium estimate
Basic daily wage × 50% × holidays worked
Illustrative cash compensation
(Normal daily wage + minimum basic-wage premium) × holidays worked
The final expression is an illustrative estimate under the cash route. It is not a guaranteed payroll amount. The employer may already have paid some wages, and contract terms or a different applicable legal regime may affect the calculation.
Worked Examples
Public Holiday Pay Examples In AED
These examples show how the inputs affect the estimate. They assume the general private-sector cash-compensation approach, a 30-day divisor, no previous additional payment and no special contract provision. They are examples only, not official payroll determinations.
| Monthly Total Salary | Monthly Basic Salary | Holiday Days Worked | Normal Daily Wage | Basic Daily Wage | 50% Premium | Illustrative Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 3,000 | AED 1,500 | 1 | AED 100 | AED 50 | AED 25 | AED 125 |
| AED 6,000 | AED 3,000 | 3 | AED 200 | AED 100 | AED 150 | AED 750 |
| AED 9,000 | AED 4,500 | 2 | AED 300 | AED 150 | AED 150 | AED 750 |
| AED 12,000 | AED 6,000 | 4 | AED 400 | AED 200 | AED 400 | AED 2,400 |
Read the example carefully: the total in this table combines an illustrative normal daily wage with the minimum additional premium. If the normal holiday wage is already included in your regular monthly pay, do not assume the whole displayed total is a separate bonus on top of your salary. Check how your employer records the normal wage and additional compensation.
Example: One Holiday Worked
Suppose monthly total salary is AED 6,000 and monthly basic salary is AED 3,000. With a 30-day divisor, the illustrative normal daily wage is AED 200 and basic daily wage is AED 100. The minimum 50% basic-wage premium is AED 50 for one holiday. Under the simple cash example, the normal daily wage plus the premium equals AED 250 for that day.
Example: Three Holidays Worked
Using the same salary inputs, the normal wage for three days is AED 600 and the additional premium is AED 150. The illustrative combined figure is AED 750. This example helps separate the normal wage component from the extra premium, which is calculated using basic wage.
Example: A Higher Allowance Package
Two employees may have the same total monthly salary but different basic salaries because their packages include different allowances. Under the general Article 28 wording, the additional percentage is based on basic wage for the day. As a result, the estimated premium can differ even where monthly total pay is identical. Confirm the salary components shown in your employment contract.
Simple Workflow
How To Use The UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator
Use the following steps to create a useful estimate and prepare the right questions for HR or payroll.
Enter Your Salary
Use the monthly total salary and basic salary figures from your employment contract or current payslip. Do not enter your total salary in both fields unless they are genuinely equal.
Choose Your Assumptions
Select a daily divisor and enter the number of official public holidays you worked. If your payroll uses a different daily wage method, treat this result as a comparison rather than a final entitlement.
Select Compensation
Choose cash compensation or substitute rest days to view the relevant estimate. The calculator displays the premium and normal wage separately to make the assumptions transparent.
Eligibility And Scope
Who Can Use This Holiday Pay Estimate?
This page is designed primarily for people reviewing public holiday work in the UAE private sector under the general framework of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended. The official government guidance explains the public holiday entitlement and the compensation options for covered workers required to work on a holiday.
The general private-sector law does not apply identically to every worker in the country. Government employees, domestic workers and employees governed by separate employment regimes may be subject to different legislation or rules. Financial free zones such as DIFC and ADGM also have their own employment frameworks.
Before relying on a result, identify the law governing your employment, check your contract and confirm whether your employer has granted a substitute day off or processed additional pay. The result is a practical estimate, not a determination of eligibility or a substitute for professional advice.
Check These Details Before Relying On A Result
- Your employment sector and applicable labour legislation.
- Your official holiday and the date or dates actually worked.
- Your basic salary and total wage as recorded in payroll.
- The employer's daily wage calculation and salary divisor.
- Whether substitute rest days have already been granted.
- Whether the employer has already paid any holiday-work amount.
- Any more favourable contractual or workplace terms.
Official Calendar
UAE Public Holidays And Changing Dates
The UAE public holiday calendar includes Gregorian New Year, Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, the Prophet Mohammed's birthday and National Day. The official calendar applies to public and private sectors, subject to the relevant rules and announcements. Islamic holiday dates follow the Hijri calendar and depend on official announcements and moon sighting.
Gregorian New Year
Observed on 1 January. Confirm the official holiday announcement and the roster applicable to your workplace.
Islamic Holidays
Eid holidays and other Islamic occasions follow the Hijri calendar. Exact Gregorian dates should be confirmed from official announcements.
National Day
UAE National Day holidays are associated with 2 and 3 December under the general public holiday schedule. Check the official announcement for any applicable arrangements.
For the current holiday list, consult the official UAE Government public holidays page. Do not rely on an old calendar or an estimated date for an Islamic holiday when checking attendance and payroll.
Avoid Common Errors
Common Public Holiday Pay Calculation Mistakes
Using Total Salary For The Premium
The additional 50% described in Article 28 is tied to the basic wage for the day. Calculating 50% of the entire package can overstate the premium when allowances form part of total pay.
Counting A Holiday Twice
Record each actual holiday worked once. If payroll has already processed the day or granted substitute leave, review the existing record before treating the entire estimate as an unpaid amount.
Assuming Every Divisor Is Universal
A 30-day divisor is used here as an illustrative monthly-to-daily conversion. Your contractual and legal payroll calculation may use a different method. Check the basis used by your employer before making a claim.
Confusing An Estimate With A Payslip
The tool does not access your employer's payroll system, attendance records, contract or existing leave balance. It cannot confirm that a payment is legally due or calculate every adjustment in a particular employment arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator FAQs
These answers explain the general private-sector framework. Your individual result may depend on the applicable employment law, contract and payroll records.
Is public holiday leave paid in the UAE?
Under the general UAE private-sector labour framework, employees are entitled to official days off with full pay on public holidays. Some worker categories are governed by different laws, so confirm which framework applies to your employment.
What if I have to work on a public holiday?
Article 28 provides for another day off for each holiday worked, or payment of the wage for that day according to the normal working-day wage plus an increase of at least 50% of the basic wage for that day. Confirm the actual arrangement with your employer.
Is the 50% premium based on basic salary?
The general wording of Article 28 refers to an increase of not less than 50% of the basic wage for that day. This calculator therefore estimates the premium from basic daily wage rather than automatically applying 50% to all allowances and total salary.
Does the calculator include my normal holiday wage?
The tool displays an illustrative normal wage component and the additional premium separately. For salaried employees, normal wages may already be reflected in monthly payroll. Do not treat the combined illustration as a separate bonus without checking how the employer recorded the payment.
Can I choose substitute rest days instead of cash?
The general private-sector provision describes another day off for each public holiday worked as an alternative to the cash route. The calculator shows the number of substitute days entered, but it cannot determine which arrangement your employer must use in your specific circumstances.
Does this tool cover government employees?
Not as a universal rule. Federal and local government employees can be governed by separate human-resources laws and regulations. Use the law and employment rules applicable to your particular government entity.
Are DIFC and ADGM employees covered by the same estimate?
Do not assume that they are. These financial free zones have separate employment frameworks. Check the applicable DIFC or ADGM legislation and your employment contract before using this estimate for a decision.
What if I already received some holiday pay?
Enter the additional holiday payment already received in the corresponding field. The tool subtracts that amount from the illustrative additional premium or cash-route estimate, with a floor of zero. This adjustment is only a budgeting aid; payroll may classify payments differently.
Can I use this for a domestic worker?
This calculator is not designed to establish domestic-worker entitlements. Domestic workers are governed by a separate federal legal framework. Check the relevant legislation or obtain guidance from the appropriate UAE authority.
Where can I verify the official rule?
Start with the UAE Government's official leave and holiday guidance and the applicable legal text. You can also review the federal legislation published through the official government portal.
Related Calculators
More UAE Salary And Employment Tools
Review related employment calculations when preparing a salary or payroll estimate. These pages may help with adjacent questions, but they do not replace the legal rules for public holiday compensation.
UAE Overtime Pay Calculator
Explore an overtime estimate for additional working hours and compare the relevant pay components.
UAE Hourly Wage Calculator
Convert salary assumptions into an illustrative hourly wage to help review work and pay arrangements.
UAE Salary Package Breakdown Calculator
Review the relationship between total package pay and salary components such as basic wage and allowances.
Estimate Your Public Holiday Pay With Confidence
The UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator gives you a structured starting point for reviewing holiday-work pay, the basic-wage premium and substitute rest days. Use accurate salary inputs, verify the legal framework that applies to your job, and compare the estimate with your contract and payroll records.
Calculate My Estimate ↗