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Regulation

UAE Updates Private Sector Salary and Adulthood Age Rules

The UAE's Ministry of Emiratisation and Human Resources mandated private sector salaries by the first of each month and lowered the legal age of adulthood from 21 to 18. These regulatory changes impact all businesses operating in the UAE.

D
DXB Start·June 5, 2026·1 min read·12 hours ago

The Ministry of Emiratisation and Human Resources (MoHRE) has implemented two significant regulatory updates. Firstly, private sector companies are now required to pay employee salaries by the first day of each Gregorian month, strengthening the Wage Protection System (WPS).

Secondly, the legal age of adulthood in the UAE has been reduced from 21 to 18 years. This change grants individuals aged 18 and above full legal capacity, impacting various aspects from contractual agreements to employment.

These changes directly affect operational and human resource strategies for all private sector businesses, including startups, within the UAE.

Last updated June 5, 2026

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