UAE confirms New Year 2026 paid holiday for private sector workers
Federal employees to work remotely the following day
DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed that 1 January 2026 will be an official paid holiday for all private sector employees.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issued the announcement in line with the UAE Cabinet’s approved list of national holidays.
As New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday, private sector offices are set to reopen on Friday, 2 January 2026.
Paid holiday on NYE
MoHRE stated that the paid leave is part of the nationwide holiday schedule that aligns both private and public sector observances.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Thursday, 1 January 2026, will be an official paid holiday for all private-sector employees in the United Arab Emirates on the occasion of the New Year.
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) December 12, 2025
We wish you a year filled with happiness!#MOHRE… pic.twitter.com/FqWDtcPbAO
The ministry released the circular after implementing the Cabinet decision concerning official holidays for the year, ensuring that employees across private companies receive the same New Year entitlement as other sectors.
Private sector employees will receive a full paid day off on Thursday, marking the first public holiday of 2026. The announcement also reiterates that the decision applies across all industries under MoHRE’s jurisdiction, giving workers a unified start to the year.
Later in the day, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed identical dates for the public sector. Federal government employees will also observe the holiday on Thursday, 1 January 2026. The following day, Friday, 2 January 2026, has been designated a remote-work day for federal employees, except for those whose roles require physical attendance.