Federal Decree Law No. (26) of 2019 Regarding Public Finance
Federal Decree Law No. (26) of 2019
Governs federal public finance, including the medium-term fiscal framework, annual budget, revenues, expenditures, government banking, accounting, financial reporting, reserves, final accounts and financial controls.
Overview
What this legislation covers
Governs federal public finance, including the medium-term fiscal framework, annual budget, revenues, expenditures, government banking, accounting, financial reporting, reserves, final accounts and financial controls.
Who or what it applies to
- Federal ministries and federal entities within the scope of the decree-law.
- Officials responsible for budgets, finance, accounting and public expenditure.
- Government entities and government companies where the law makes them subject to public-finance rules.
- The Ministry of Finance and other bodies involved in federal financial administration.
Key points
Important points at a glance
Creates the principal federal framework for public financial management.
Regulates preparation and implementation of the federal general budget.
Provides for medium-term financial planning and fiscal strategy.
Regulates government revenues and expenditure appropriations.
Establishes rules for government bank accounts and the Treasury Single Account.
Sets financial and accounting controls for federal entities.
Regulates transfers, reserves, supplementary appropriations and emergency financial measures.
Provides for final accounts, financial statements and government reporting.
Contains rules relevant to government entities and companies within the statutory scope.
Cabinet Resolution No. (40) of 2021 contains executive regulations.
Practical explanation
Understanding the law
Practical explanation
Budget cycle
The decree-law covers the full federal budget cycle: medium-term planning, annual preparation, approval, execution, accounting and final accounts.
Treasury control
Government funds are managed through a controlled banking framework centred on the Treasury Single Account and Ministry of Finance oversight.
Spending authority
An approved budget creates spending authority only within its legal limits; entities must still comply with financial controls and other applicable laws.
Financial reporting
Federal entities must maintain reliable accounting records and produce reports and final accounts in the required format.
Current version
The law has been amended, so users should rely on the latest consolidated official text rather than an early 2019 copy.
Practical notes
- Public-finance work should be checked against the current amended text, annual budget laws and Ministry of Finance circulars.
- Cabinet Resolution No. (40) of 2021 supplies executive rules for several areas of implementation.
- Individual procurement and contracting questions are also governed by the separate federal procurement regime.
- Budget appropriations do not displace other statutory approval, accounting or audit requirements.
Legislation text
Text and provisions
Official-text notice. This package provides a structured English rendering based on the official UAE legislation source identified in the manifest. It is not represented as the legally controlling Arabic text. For interpretation and application, consult the original Arabic text and the latest consolidated official UAE legislation.
Verified legislative metadata
| Instrument | Federal Decree Law No. (26) of 2019 |
|---|---|
| Issued date | See official source |
| Effective date | See official source / commencement provision |
| Status | Active / in force, as amended |
| Official Gazette | See official source |
| Official source | UAE Legislation |
Structured rendering of the legislation
Definitions and public-finance framework
Defines the core concepts of federal public finance, including the fiscal year, general budget, supplementary budget, federal entities, government companies, financial strategy and consolidated accounts.
Financial strategy and medium-term planning
Requires federal financial planning to operate within an approved medium-term framework reflecting economic expectations, resource policies, expenditure priorities and financial risks.
Government banking procedures
Regulates opening and management of government bank accounts and the Treasury Single Account, including controls on commercial-bank accounts and transfer of balances.
Draft legislation with financial impact
Requires draft legislation creating financial obligations or consequences for the federal budget to be referred to the Ministry of Finance for review.
Budget preparation
Regulates preparation, submission, consolidation and approval of the federal general budget and the financial ceilings and assumptions used in that process.
Revenue management
Governs assessment, collection, recording and management of federal revenues under the applicable legal and accounting framework.
Expenditure and appropriations
Regulates spending within approved appropriations, controls transfers and restrictions, and sets safeguards for lawful and efficient use of public funds.
Reserves and unforeseen needs
Provides financial tools for unexpected circumstances, budget adjustments, reserves and other fiscal measures subject to the required approvals.
Accounting and financial reporting
Requires federal entities to maintain accounts and prepare financial information under the applicable accounting standards and Ministry of Finance requirements.
Final accounts
Regulates preparation and consolidation of final accounts and the close of the fiscal year.
Controls, compliance and accountability
Establishes financial-control duties, recordkeeping requirements and compliance responsibilities for officials and entities handling public funds.
Executive regulations
Cabinet Resolution No. (40) of 2021 provides executive rules and should be consulted together with the amended decree-law.
Verification
Official source & references
Official legislation sourcehttps://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1081Open ↗This page is a research and educational resource. Legislation can be amended, repealed, supplemented by regulations or interpreted by courts and authorities. Obtain advice before relying on it for a live matter.