2026 RatesUnited Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
Current minimum wage rates and regulations in United Arab Emirates for 2026.
Minimum Wage Rates 2026
The UAE introduced a minimum wage for UAE nationals in the private sector, effective January 1, 2026. There is no statutory minimum wage for expatriate employees.
Hourly (est.)
AED 34.62
Based on 40h/week
Weekly (40h)
AED 1385
Monthly
AED 6,000
Annual
AED 72,000
Key Information
UAE Nationals — Private Sector
AED 6,000/month mandatory minimum, raised from AED 5,000. Effective January 1, 2026 per Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Expatriates — No Statutory Minimum
No minimum wage applies to expatriate workers (~88% of the UAE workforce). The Wage Protection System (WPS) monitors timely salary payments but does not set a floor.
Income Tax
The UAE has zero personal income tax. Expatriates keep 100% of gross; nationals pay 11% pension and keep 89%.
Maximum Working Hours
UAE Labour Law caps working hours at 48 hours/week (8 hours/day). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate (150% for night/rest days).
Emiratisation & Wage Policy
Emiratisation Programme
- •Hiring quotas: Private sector companies with 50+ employees must meet annual Emiratisation targets (2% per year increase in UAE national headcount)
- •Minimum wage 2026: AED 6,000/month (up from AED 5,000), effective Jan 1, 2026
- •Wage Protection System (WPS): All private sector employers must pay salaries electronically through WPS
- •End-of-Service Gratuity: Expatriates receive 21 days basic salary/year (years 1–5), 30 days/year thereafter — capped at 2 years' total salary
Net Take-Home at Minimum Wage
| Employee Type | Gross/Month | Deductions | Net/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expatriate | Market rate | AED 0 | = Gross |
| UAE National (min. wage) | AED 6,000 | AED 660 (11% pension) | AED 5340 |
Minimum wage sources and assumptions
Minimum wage pages use official labour and government publications, then convert hourly, monthly, and annual rates for comparison. This page was last reviewed for United Arab Emirates 2026 data on April 27, 2026.
Calculation notes
- Annual estimates assume the standard full-time hours shown on the page.
- Some countries use collective agreements, age bands, sectors, or regions instead of a single national rate.
- Displayed conversions are estimates and may exclude holiday allowance, 13th-month pay, or local supplements unless stated.
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