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UAE announces New Year 2026 holiday for private sector

Private sector employees in the UAE to receive paid holiday for New Year 2026, ministry announces

UAE holidays Dubai
Private sector employees across the UAE will receive a paid holiday on January 1. Image: Shutterstock

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have said that 1st January, will be an official paid holiday for all private-sector employees in the UAE for the 2026 New Year.

The announcement follows a circular issued by MoHRE implementing the Cabinet’s decision to approve the official holidays for the public and private sectors.

UAE public sector holiday

Arabian Business earlier reported that the UAE has announced a public sector holiday to celebrate the 2026 New Year.

In an official statement, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said that January 1, 2026 will be a public holiday for all federal government employees.

It represents the first official holiday of next year and will fall on a Thursday.

Furthermore, the authority has ruled that Friday, January 2 will be a remote work day.

Unless a role requires physical presence in a workplace, employees will have the flexibility to work remotely.

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Kath Young

Kath Young is a reporter at Arabian Business.

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