UAE Public Holiday Pay Calculator
Find what you are owed for working on an official holiday in the UAE: the day's wage plus at least 50% of the basic wage for each day, unless you get another day off instead. Decree-Law 33 of 2021, Article 28, checked October 2026.
- Per holiday worked
- -
- Day's wage
- -
- + 50% of day's basic
- -
- Days off instead
- -
On top of your normal monthly salary, which already pays the holiday itself.
Estimate only. Not legal advice. 50% is the legal minimum; your contract may pay more.
How public holiday pay is calculated
- Day's wage = total monthly wage ÷ 30 (the usual convention; the law gives no divisor).
- Increase = at least 50% of the day's basic wage = basic monthly salary ÷ 30 × 0.5.
- Pay for each holiday worked = day's wage + increase (Article 28(2)). Or you get another rest day for each holiday worked.
- • Day's wage: 9,000 ÷ 30 = AED 300.00
- • Increase: 6,000 ÷ 30 × 50% = AED 100.00
- • Per holiday: AED 400.00
Frequently asked questions
Are public holidays paid in the UAE?expand_more
Yes. Official holidays, set each year by Cabinet resolution, are leave with full pay (Article 28(1)). Your normal monthly salary already covers them.
What do I get for working on a public holiday?expand_more
Another rest day for each holiday you work, or the wage for that day plus at least 50% of your basic wage for the day (Article 28(2)). On a AED 9,000 wage with a AED 6,000 basic, that is AED 400.00 for each holiday worked, on top of your monthly salary.
Is it double pay or 2.5 times?expand_more
Neither, under the current law. It is the day's wage plus at least half the day's basic wage. With no allowances that is 1.5 times the daily basic (AED 300.00 on a AED 6,000 basic). A contract may pay more, because 50% is a minimum.
Who chooses between a day off and extra pay?expand_more
Article 28(2) gives the two options but does not say who chooses. Check your contract or company policy, and agree it in writing.
Is holiday pay worked out on basic or total salary?expand_more
Both. Article 28(2) pays "the wage for that day", and the law defines wage as basic plus allowances (Article 1). The 50% increase is on the basic wage only. That is how this calculator reads it.
What if I only work a few hours on the holiday?expand_more
Article 28(2) is written per day worked, not per hour. If your employer pays holiday work by the hour, the overtime calculator prices each hour the same way: the full hourly wage plus 50% of the basic hourly wage.
Is working on my weekly rest day the same?expand_more
Yes, the rule is the same: another rest day, or the day's wage plus at least 50% of the basic wage (Article 19(4)). You cannot be made to work more than two rest days in a row, except day labourers (Article 19(5)).
Source
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations: Article 28 (official holidays and work on them), Article 19(4) and (5) (rest days) and Article 1 (wage and basic wage). The daily divisor is a convention, not in the law. Always confirm with MOHRE or a qualified adviser. Checked against the official text in October 2026.
Read the official text:Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Legislation portal)