Workers in Saudi Arabia's private and non-profit sectors will enjoy a paid day off on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, which has been confirmed as the official National Day holiday marking the Kingdom's 96th National Day, corresponding to 12 Rabi Al Thani 1448 AH.
The holiday has been designated as a one-day paid leave, meaning employees across the public, private, and non-profit sectors are entitled to a single paid day off on that date. The decision rests on Article 24 of the Executive Regulations of the Labor Law, which sets out official holidays and the obligations of employers.
The entitlement applies to all employees in the private and non-profit sectors whose work is governed by the Saudi Labor Law, regardless of nationality. This means expatriate staff receive the same National Day holiday as Saudi nationals, with entitlement determined by sector and employment contract rather than nationality.
What if you have to work?
Employers that require staff to work on the National Day holiday must provide compensation in line with Labor Law rules on official holidays. This may include an alternative day off and/or additional pay, as specified in Article 24 and its related provisions. Employers are required to follow the mechanisms set out in paragraph 2 of Article 24 regarding how holiday work and compensation are handled.
For 2026, the confirmed holiday for the private and non-profit sectors is a single day only, Wednesday 23 September, with no official additional day confirmed as of the latest announcements. This continues the pattern seen in recent years, when workers in these sectors also received one official paid day for the National Day. Employees can review their contract details and holiday entitlement through official electronic employment services and platforms such as قوى.
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