A paid public holiday has been confirmed for employees across the UAE on Thursday, January 1, 2026, covering both private- and public-sector workers. The announcement was issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation following a Cabinet resolution outlining the country’s approved official holidays.
The decision places private-sector employees on equal footing with their counterparts in government offices, ensuring a nationwide break to mark the start of the new year. Federal authorities separately confirmed that the same date will also be observed as a paid holiday for public-sector staff.
In addition to the New Year’s Day break, federal government employees will transition to remote work on Friday, January 2, 2026. The arrangement is intended to provide flexibility while maintaining operations, although staff whose duties require physical presence will continue to report to their workplaces as scheduled.
