UAE News

UAE announces New Year 2026 holiday for private sector

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…

UAE DeskUAE Economy, Policy & Society
UAE DeskPublished December 12, 2025 · 3:35 PMUpdated June 29, 2026 · 8:54 AM2 MIN READ
UAE announces New Year 2026 holiday for private sector

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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