Government

The UAE has officially announced its New Year holidays for 2026, outlining distinct leave schedules for private and public sector employees across different emirates. The announcement aims to ensure clarity for residents preparing for celebrations and travel at the start of the year.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), private sector employees will receive a paid public holiday on Thursday, January 1, 2026, marking the first day of the new year. This aligns with the Cabinet’s approved list of holidays for both public and private sectors. Employees are expected to resume work on Friday, January 2, unless their companies offer additional time off.

For federal government employees, January 1 will also be observed as an official public holiday. Additionally, Friday, January 2, 2026, has been designated as a remote work day to allow staff to fulfill work responsibilities while spending time with their families. However, those in essential roles or on-site positions must report to work as usual, as stated by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

Meanwhile, Sharjah’s public sector employees will enjoy an extended four-day long weekend. With New Year’s Day falling on Thursday, January 1, and the emirate’s three-day weekend system in place, employees in Sharjah’s government departments will return to work on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Additional leave options for employees

Although Christmas is not an official public holiday in the UAE, several international and multinational companies, particularly in sectors such as finance, consulting, and technology, offer internal year-end holidays. These breaks may range from one day to a full week, often covering Christmas and Boxing Day, reflecting a growing trend among global organizations to align with international calendars and enhance employee well-being.

These internal leaves, while not mandatory, are typically separate from annual leave entitlements and vary by organization. Employees note that such policies help ease the year-end workload and encourage better work-life balance during the festive period.

Combining annual and public holidays

Residents planning longer breaks can also take advantage of the UAE’s transferable leave policy, which allows certain holidays to be moved or combined with weekends. Although the New Year’s holiday is fixed on Thursday, January 1, employees can use one day of annual leave on Friday, January 2, to create a four-day break extending through the weekend.

Looking ahead, several public holidays in 2026, including Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday, and UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad), may offer similar opportunities for extended leave when combined with weekends or transferred dates.

Compensatory leave for essential workers

Essential workers and employees required to work on official public holidays are entitled to compensation under UAE Labour Law. Employers must provide either a substitute rest day or pay for the holiday as a regular working day, in addition to at least 50 percent of the employee’s basic wage.

As the UAE prepares to welcome 2026, residents can look forward to diverse holiday schedules that cater to varying work sectors, offering opportunities to rest, reconnect, and celebrate the new year across the nation.

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