Official Public Holidays in Egypt 2026: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Time Off

With the new year here, many employees and managers want to know about official public holidays in Egypt. 

Knowing these dates is useful for planning personal vacations and structuring professional schedules, as it helps to maintain a work-life balance. It also permits you to spend your days off without worry or dispute.

In this guide, we will present a comprehensive list of Egypt’s official public holidays for 2026, clarify employees’ rights under the new Egyptian Labor Law, and offer practical advice on how to plan and maximize your time off.

What Are Public Holidays in Egypt?

Public holidays are days designated for workers in both the public and private sectors to observe national or religious holidays. 

They are official days off in which employees may relax without losing pay. Knowing these days allows both employees and employers to better organize work schedules, minimizing disagreements and disruptions in production.

Before we look at the 2026 holiday list, it is important to understand the two main types of public holidays:

Paid Holidays

These are days when employees are paid in full for their time off. Paid holidays often include:

• National holidays include Revolution Day and Sinai Liberation Day.
• Religious holidays include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

Employees have the privilege to relax on certain days while still receiving their full income.

Unpaid Holidays

Some companies offer additional optional days off for special company events or personal reasons. These are arranged between you and your employer and don’t come with regular pay. It’s all about what works for both sides.

Understanding these two types of holidays allows employees to plan their vacations effectively and helps employers maintain productivity while respecting workers’ rights.

Official Public Holidays in Egypt 2026

Here’s a breakdown of all the official public holidays in Egypt for 2026, with a brief description of each:

National Holidays

• Police Day and January 25 Revolution Anniversary: A national holiday celebrated across Egypt with paid leave for employees.
• Sham El-Nessim: Celebrated after Easter, this is a non-religious national holiday. Egyptians often spend the day outdoors in parks and gardens. Paid leave applies.
• Sinai Liberation Day: Marks the withdrawal of the last foreign troops from Sinai. Employees receive paid leave.
• Labor Day: A national paid holiday honoring workers’ rights.
• June 30 Revolution Anniversary: A paid national holiday celebrating a key moment in Egypt’s history.
• July 23 Revolution Anniversary: Celebrates the founding of modern Egypt. Employees get paid leave.
• Armed Forces Day – October Victory: Paid holiday commemorating Egypt’s victory in the October 1973 war.

Religious Holidays

• Christmas Day: Paid leave for Christians and some public institutions.
• Eid al-Fitr: Celebrated at the end of Ramadan. Employees usually get three days of paid leave, which may vary by government decisions.
• Arafat Day: The day before Eid al-Adha, with paid leave for preparation.
• Eid al-Adha: A major Islamic holiday, usually lasting several days, with paid leave.
• Islamic New Year: Marks the beginning of the new Hijri year, a paid holiday for government employees and some private companies.
• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: Paid holiday commemorating the birth of the Prophet.

Full Public Holiday Calendar for Egypt 2026

Day	Gregorian Date	Holiday
Wednesday	7 January 2026	Christmas Day
Sunday	25 January 2026	Police Day and January 25 Revolution
Friday – Sunday	20-22 March 2026	Eid al-Fitr
Monday	13 April 2026	Sham El-Nessim
Saturday	25 April 2026	Sinai Liberation Day
Friday	1 May 2026	Labor Day
Tuesday	26 May 2026	Arafat Day
Wednesday – Friday	27-29 May 2026	Eid al-Adha
Wednesday	17 June 2026	Islamic New Year
Tuesday	30 June 2026	June 30 Revolution Anniversary
Thursday	23 July 2026	July 23 Revolution Anniversary
Wednesday	26 August 2026	Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Tuesday	6 October 2026	Armed Forces Day – October Victory

Note: Some Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Arafat Day, may change based on moon sightings or government decisions.

Holidays in the New Egyptian Labor Law

The new Egyptian Labor Law has changed holiday regulations to make them more transparent and equitable for both employees and employers. 

The legislation attempts to preserve workers’ rights while allowing for flexibility in handling personal, health, or religious leave, all while ensuring that company operations run smoothly.

Key Updates in the New Law

• Specifies the number of annual leave days according to the employee’s length of service.
• Guarantees employees’ right to paid public holidays without salary deductions.
• Organizes special leave for occasions like marriage, bereavement, or other personal circumstances.
• Provides flexibility for social, health, and religious leave to ensure workers’ comfort and legal rights.

Types of Leave: New Law vs Old Law

Type of Leave	Old Law	New Labor Law 2025
Annual Leave	21 days after the first year of service	– 15 days after 6 months of employment- 21 days after one year of service- 30 days after 10 years or reaching age 50- 45 days for people with disabilities- Leave can be carried over for two years only
Sick Leave	Duration and percentages were not clearly defined	Up to 12 months every 3 years according to the medical report:- 3 months at full pay (100%)- 6 months at 85% pay- 3 months at 75% pay
Maternity Leave	90 paid days, number of times not specified	– 120 paid days- Granted up to 3 times during service- An employee cannot be dismissed during leave- Two daily breastfeeding breaks (30 minutes each) for the first two years
Marriage/Bereavement Leave	Granted, according to company policy, without clear regulation	– Granted under special circumstances, leave (paid)- Includes marriage, death, and examinations
Hajj Leave	Not stipulated	Granted once only, for one month, after 5 years of continuous service
Contact Leave	Did not exist	Exceptional leave up to 3 months when in contact with someone with a contagious disease, granted by medical decision
Unpaid Leave	Not precisely regulated	Available with employer approval, for personal or educational purposes

Employee Rights on Holidays

The law emphasizes that holidays are a fundamental right for employees, and employers cannot:

• Postpone annual leave except for work-related reasons and with employee consent.
• Refuse medically approved sick leave.
• Deduct pay for approved holidays.
  

Tips for Planning Public and Personal Holidays

Smart planning helps you get the most from your time off as official holidays approach. This matters for both personal rest and work efficiency. Planning ahead lets employees organize their time well and enjoy official holidays along with personal rest.

Making the Most of Annual Leave

• Combine annual leave with public holidays to maximize vacation
• Use holidays for trips or mental rest, boosting productivity
• Keep plans flexible to align personal time with official holidays

Coordinating with Team and HR

• Share holiday plans to ensure a smooth workflow
• Coordinate with HR to comply with the new law
• Early communication allows proper replacement planning

Tips for Employers

• Implement flexible schedules to cover critical tasks
• Prepare ahead to reduce productivity loss
• Notify clients in advance about holiday schedules
• Guide staff to maintain workflow without overburdening others

Conclusion

For both personal and professional preparation, it is crucial to be aware of Egypt’s public holidays in 2026. Employers can effectively arrange work, while employees may enjoy their days off.

You may take vacations without facing legal issues if you are aware of your rights under the new Egyptian Labor Law.

Find the newest positions and chances for professional growth that fit your expertise with WUZZUF, allowing you greater flexibility to manage work and relaxation. For more helpful advice on holidays and career preparation, you can also read additional articles on the blog.

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