Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: A Resident's Guide

Ramadan is the most significant month of the year in Saudi Arabia, reshaping daily rhythms across work, shopping, dining, and social life. For residents and expats — Muslim and non-Muslim alike — understanding how the Kingdom operates during this holy month makes settling into the season far smoother. In 1447 AH, Ramadan ran from 18 February to 19 March 2026, with Eid al-Fitr celebrated on 20 March 2026. This guide from سعودي ليفنج covers the practical essentials every resident should know.

Public conduct during fasting hours

The single most important rule to remember: eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight fasting hours is prohibited for everyone — including non-Muslim residents and visitors. This applies in streets, offices, malls, and public transport.

• Non-Muslim residents are not legally required to fast, but must respect the ban on public eating, drinking, and smoking during fasting hours.
• You can eat and drink privately at home, and hotel restaurants may operate discreetly to serve non-Muslim guests.
• Being mindful and respectful is deeply appreciated and helps you integrate warmly into the community.

Working hours in Ramadan

Ramadan brings shortened and shifted working schedules across the Kingdom.

• Government offices typically operate reduced hours, often around 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM instead of the standard morning schedule.
• Muslim private-sector employees have a legal maximum of 6 working hours during Ramadan, with no reduction in salary.
• Non-Muslim employees are not automatically entitled to the reduced 6-hour Ramadan schedule.
• Many private-sector offices and businesses operate around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during the month.

Expect banks, government offices, and businesses to run reduced daytime hours, with many reopening in the evening after Iftar.

Dining out and restaurants

Daytime dining changes dramatically. Most restaurants, cafes, and street-level food outlets are closed to the public during daylight hours and open after sunset. Once the Iftar meal begins, the food scene comes alive well into the night.

• Delivery apps stay busy in the evenings, so plan ahead if you rely on them.
• Hotel restaurants may serve non-Muslim guests discreetly during the day.
• Iftar and Suhoor buffets are a highlight of the season — booking in advance is wise as tables fill quickly.

Shopping and mall hours

Malls in major cities often run two daily sessions during Ramadan: a daytime shift roughly from late morning to late afternoon, and an evening shift from about 8:30–9:00 PM until 1:00–2:00 AM.

• In الرياض, malls such as Nakheel Mall and Riyadh Park typically open a morning shift around 11:00–11:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and an evening shift from about 8:30 PM to 2:00 AM.
• Peak activity is usually between 10:00 PM and midnight.
• Retail stores generally open later in the day and stay open well past midnight.

If you prefer quieter shopping, the daytime session is far less crowded than the evening rush.

Government services and apps

Digital government services remain available 24/7, but live-support desks and physical service centers operate reduced Ramadan hours — typically around 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and sometimes an additional late-night window around 9:00 PM to midnight.

• The national digital identity app نفاذ is the mandatory single sign-on for major government platforms and many banks and telecoms.
• It is required to log into portals such as أبشر, قوى, ناجز, and مقيم, among others.
• For anything requiring in-person visits, aim for early in the working window and always confirm current hours on the relevant official portal.

Settling into the season

Ramadan is a wonderful time to experience Saudi hospitality. Evenings become the heart of daily life, with markets, gatherings, and communal meals filling the streets after Iftar. A little planning around the shifted hours — and a respectful approach to public conduct during the day — will help you make the most of this special month before Eid al-Fitr arrives.

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