UAE Cabinet approves 2026 federal budget

The UAE Cabinet has approved the federal budget for 2026, with projected revenues of AED 92.4 billion and equally balanced expenditures.

The budget, which is the largest in the country's history, was approved during a cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The 2026 budget scored a 29 per cent increase in both estimated expenditures and revenues compared to those of 2025, reflecting the strength of the national economy and the sustainability of financial resources to fund development, economic and social projects.

Allocations include AED 34.6 billion for the social development and pensions sector (37 per cent of the total federal budget), AED 27.1 billion for government affairs (29 per cent), AED 15.4 billion for financial investments (17 per cent), AED 12.7 billion for federal expenses (14 per cent), and AED 2.6 billion (3 per cent) has been allocated to the infrastructure and economic development sectors.

Chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Cabinet approves the Federal General Budget for fiscal year 2026 with estimated total expenditures of AED92.4 billion, scoring a growth of 29 per cent.#UAEGOV pic.twitter.com/MiJplULmBw

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) October 27, 2025

A Federal Financial Support Programme was approved during the meeting, which will be reinforced annually through dedicated allocations from the budget, ensuring the financial sustainability and institutional resilience of federal entities.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of implementing the National Agenda for Outbound Direct Investment 2024, as well as the UAE Export Development Policy.

It also approved 35 international agreements and memoranda of understanding in various areas of economic and development cooperation.

Chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Cabinet approves the Federal General Budget for fiscal year 2026 with estimated total expenditures of AED92.4 billion, scoring a growth of 29 per cent.#uaegov pic.twitter.com/fz5YERDzOV

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) October 27, 2025

Chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Cabinet reviews the outcomes of implementing National Agenda for Outbound Direct Investments for 2024.#uaegov pic.twitter.com/sS0LJ5bqkZ

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) October 27, 2025