UAE Announces New Year 2026 Holiday for Private Sector

The UAE has confirmed that January 1, 2026, will be an official paid public holiday for all private-sector employeesin the country, marking the start of the New Year. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) following a Cabinet decision approving the official holiday calendar for both public and private sectors. 

In addition, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that New Year’s Day will be a holiday for federal government employees. According to the announcements, Friday, January 2 will be a remote-work day for federal staff whose roles do not require physical presence. 

This move ensures that private-sector workers enjoy the same public holiday as the federal workforce, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to a unified holiday framework across sectors.