The UAE has implemented several major policy changes as 2026 begins, with additional regulations scheduled throughout January, affecting schools, taxes, travel, sustainability, parking, and digital content creation.
In Dubai, private schools and early childhood centres will now end classes at 11:30 am on Fridays from January 9, 2026, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority announced.
The change aligns with the new nationwide Friday prayer schedule, allowing students and staff to return home beforehand.
Friday sermons and prayers across the UAE will take place at 12:45 pm starting January 2, 2026, according to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs. Authorities have urged worshippers to arrive early to avoid missing the sermon.
A new tiered excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages came into effect on January 1, replacing the previous flat 50% tax.
The system links taxation to sugar content and follows a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide model aimed at improving public health.
ABHI, UAE-based Numou sign agreement to power SME procurement financing
Dubai Airports will expand its Red Carpet biometric service at Terminal 3 by January 2026, enabling faster immigration processing for arriving passengers after a one-time biometric registration through AI-powered smart corridors.
The UAE has banned the import, manufacture, and sale of several single-use plastics from January 1, 2026.
The prohibited items include beverage cups and lids, cutlery, chopsticks, plates, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam containers.
Dubai will enforce the final phase of its single-use plastic ban from the same date, requiring businesses to adopt approved alternatives under Dubai Municipality guidance.
Paid parking will be introduced in Discovery Gardens from January 15, 2026. Each residential unit without a parking space will receive one free permit, while additional vehicles will require paid subscriptions.
Content creators earning from promotional posts must obtain an Advertiser License by January 31, 2026, according to the UAE Media Council.
The permit is free for the first three years for UAE citizens and residents and aims to regulate social media advertising.
