Minimum Salary for Emiratis in the Private Sector 2026: AED 6,000
Emiratis in the UAE private sector must be paid at least AED 6,000 a month. The rule applies to new, renewed and amended work permits from 1 January 2026, and employers had until 30 June 2026 to bring existing contracts up to it. From 1 July 2026, an Emirati paid less does not count toward the employer's Emiratisation target and is outside Nafis salary support.
The dates
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Minimum monthly salary | AED 6,000 |
| New permits, renewals, amendments | From 1 January 2026 |
| Existing contracts brought up to AED 6,000 | By 30 June 2026 |
| Enforcement: below AED 6,000 stops counting | From 1 July 2026 |
The minimum rose from AED 4,000 to AED 5,000 and then AED 6,000. It applies only to UAE nationals: the UAE has no general minimum wage for all employees.
One figure, two jobs
| As... | It means |
|---|---|
| An employment rule | You must pay an Emirati employee at least AED 6,000 a month |
| A counting rule | Below AED 6,000, the Emirati does not count toward your target |
| A Nafis threshold | Below AED 6,000, the employee is outside Nafis salary support |
Paying AED 5,500 saves AED 500 a month and can cost the employee up to AED 6,000 a month in Nafis support, while still leaving the employer short on its target.
This is not the skilled-role threshold
The skilled-role definition uses AED 4,000 excluding commission, for any employee of any nationality. The AED 6,000 minimum applies to Emiratis and decides whether they count. Both are current. See skilled roles.
The salary band that matters
| Figure | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AED 6,000 | Minimum salary; floor for all Nafis schemes |
| AED 15,000 | Ceiling for the spousal support scheme |
| AED 20,000 | Ceiling for Nafis salary support |
| AED 50,000 | Ceiling for the Nafis child allowance |
Basic salary or total package?
MoHRE's announcement refers to a "minimum salary" of AED 6,000 without saying whether it is assessed on basic salary or total contractual salary. Under verification Keep payroll and contract records consistent, and seek clarification where packages include large fixed allowances.
Frequently asked questions
01What is the minimum salary for Emiratis in 2026?
AED 6,000 a month in the private sector, for new, renewed and amended work permits from 1 January 2026 and for all existing contracts from 30 June 2026.
02Does an Emirati paid AED 5,000 count toward Emiratisation?
No. From 1 July 2026, Emiratis paid below AED 6,000 are excluded from target counts.
03Is there a minimum wage for expats in the UAE?
There is no general statutory minimum wage for private-sector employees. The AED 6,000 minimum applies to UAE nationals.
Sources
- Minimum wage in the UAE and Dubai: employer guide 2026. Access Financial, citing u.ae.
- Explained: Nafis child allowance salary band. Gulf News, 21 August 2026.
This page explains UAE Emiratisation rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MoHRE, Nafis or Central Bank source linked above before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MoHRE, Nafis, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council or any UAE government body. Full disclaimer.