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 |
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