Fireworks illuminate the night sky during New Year celebrations. Photo: WAM
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, a public holiday for federal government employees to mark the start of the New Year.
The announcement was made through a circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) on Thursday, December 11.
In addition, Friday, January 2, will operate as a remote-work day for federal employees, with the exception of staff whose duties require them to be physically present at their workplaces.
The decision aligns with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support work–life balance within the public sector.
This post was last modified on December 11, 2025 11:54 pm