New Year 2026: Dubai announces public holiday and remote working day
Shift-based services excluded from holiday framework
DUBAI – The Emirate of Dubai has officially announced the New Year 2026 public holiday for government employees, confirming a one-day break on Thursday, January 1.
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department stated that official work across government entities will resume on Friday, January 2. That day will be observed as a remote working day for employees whose roles permit working from home.
The announcement provides early clarity for public sector staff planning year-end schedules, while also setting out operational expectations for essential services and departments working under special arrangements.
New Year holiday
According to the circular issued by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, January 1, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday for all Dubai government departments. Employees will return to work on January 2, with remote working approved for roles that are compatible with off-site operations.
The department said the arrangement is intended to ensure flexibility while maintaining continuity across government services. Remote working on January 2 will be subject to internal policies and the nature of each employee’s role, with departments responsible for ensuring productivity and service standards are upheld.
Exempt entities
The holiday announcement does not apply to organisations, departments or institutions that operate on a shift-based system. This includes entities involved in the provision of essential services or the management of public facilities.
For these exempt categories, authorities have been authorised to set suitable working hours based on operational needs. The department noted that this approach is designed to ensure the smooth flow of work and uninterrupted delivery of services during the holiday period, while allowing flexibility in workforce management.
The announcement for Dubai’s public sector follows an earlier decision by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which confirmed that private sector employees across the UAE will be entitled to a paid public holiday for New Year.
In its circular, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department also extended greetings and best wishes to the UAE’s leadership, government, citizens and residents, marking the arrival of 2026 and expressing hopes for continued success and achievement in the year ahead.