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The United Arab Emirates has updated the minimum wage for Emirati nationals employed in the private sector, effective January 1, 2026. The change applies exclusively to UAE citizens working in private companies; expatriate workers are not covered. The article does not specify the new wage amount or the previous rate, but employers must ensure compliance by the effective date. The update note suggests the increase may not fully account for inflation.
UAE Minimum Wage for Emirati Private-Sector Employees Updated Effective January 1, 2026
The United Arab Emirates has updated the minimum wage for Emirati nationals employed in the private sector, effective January 1, 2026. The change applies exclusively to UAE citizens working in private companies; expatriate workers remain outside the scope of this regulation.
Who is affected
This update affects employers in the United Arab Emirates who employ Emirati nationals (UAE citizens) in private-sector roles. The regulation does not apply to expatriate workers, regardless of their role or compensation level. All private-sector employers with Emirati staff on payroll must comply with the revised wage floor.
What's changing
The UAE government has revised the minimum wage threshold for Emirati private-sector employees, effective January 1, 2026. The specific new minimum wage amount has not been publicly disclosed in available official sources at the time of publication, nor has the previous rate been confirmed. Employers must ensure that all Emirati nationals on their payroll meet or exceed the updated minimum wage as of the effective date. The regulatory update note indicates the increase may not fully account for inflation.
What NEO partners and clients should do
- By December 31, 2025: Review payroll records for all Emirati employees in private-sector roles to identify any compensation below the updated minimum wage threshold.
- By January 1, 2026: Implement wage adjustments in payroll systems to ensure compliance with the new minimum wage for affected employees.
- January 2026 pay run: Verify that the updated wage floor is reflected in the first payroll cycle of 2026.
- Ongoing: Monitor official UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) channels for publication of the specific wage amounts and any additional implementation guidance.
Sources
- WageIndicator – Minimum Wage Updated in the United Arab Emirates from 01 January 2026: http://wageindicator.org/work/minimum-wage/updates/2026/minimum-wage-updated-in-the-united-arab-emirates-from-01-january-2026-january-01-2026/
