Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained

Whether you're new to the Kingdom or have lived here for years, knowing exactly when the country pauses for its official holidays — and how the standard working week is structured — makes planning your work, travel, and family time far easier. In this Saudi Living guide, we break down the 2026 public holidays for both the public and private sectors, explain your statutory paid days under the Labor Law, and clarify how the Saudi working week and weekend actually work.

The Saudi working week and weekend

Across the public sector and most of the private sector, the standard working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with the weekend falling on Friday and Saturday. Friday holds special importance as the day of congregational prayer, and you'll notice shorter hours or midday closures around prayer times in many workplaces and shops.

Some businesses in hospitality, retail, healthcare, and other service sectors operate on rotating shifts or different schedules, so always confirm your specific hours with your employer or in your contract.

Official 2026 public holidays

The Kingdom observes a defined set of national holidays that apply across sectors. For 2026, the confirmed dates are:

• Founding Day: Sunday 22 February 2026.
• Eid al-Fitr holiday period: Thursday 19 March to Sunday 22 March 2026 (main Eid day Friday 20 March).
• Arafat Day: Tuesday 26 May 2026.
• Eid al-Adha holiday period: Wednesday 27 May to Friday 29 May 2026 (main Eid day Wednesday 27 May).
• Saudi National Day: Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Because the Eid dates follow the Umm al-Qura (Hijri) calendar and depend on moon sighting, they may shift slightly. Always check official announcements close to the date before finalising travel plans.

Your statutory paid holidays (private sector)

Under Saudi Labor Law, private-sector employees are entitled to paid public holidays on four occasions, totalling 10 paid days per year:

• Eid al-Fitr: 4 paid days, starting the day after 29 Ramadan on the Umm al-Qura calendar.
• Eid al-Adha: 4 paid days, starting from Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah).
• Founding Day: 1 paid day on 22 February.
• National Day: 1 paid day on 23 September.

If a public holiday falls on your rest day, or if your role requires you to work during a holiday, the Labor Law provides for compensation — either a substitute day off or additional pay. Check your contract and confirm the details on the relevant official Saudi government channels if you're unsure.

How the public sector differs

Government ministries and entities often enjoy longer Eid breaks than the statutory four days shown in Labor Law summaries. These extensions are typically announced through official circulars and Royal directives, with exact start and end dates published via electronic government channels ahead of each Eid.

Regulated sectors also follow their own schedules. For banking, for example, the central regulatory calendar shows the Eid al-Adha 1447H holiday ending on Thursday 28 May 2026 (11 Dhul Hijjah). If your work depends on bank operations, factor these dates in when scheduling payments or transactions.

Other notable 2026 observances

Beyond the paid national holidays, several dates are marked as observances but are generally not days off for all workers:

• Saudi Flag Day: Wednesday 11 March 2026.
• Hijri New Year (Muharram): Tuesday 16 June 2026.
• Start of Ramadan: Wednesday 18 February 2026 — a religious observance rather than a separate national holiday, though working hours are typically reduced during the month.

Practical tips for planning your year

• Book Eid travel early — flights and hotels fill up fast around both Eids.
• Confirm exact Eid dates only after official announcements, since Hijri dates can shift by a day.
• During Ramadan, expect shorter working hours and adjusted opening times for shops and services.
• If you deal with banks or government offices, plan ahead for extended Eid closures.
• Keep your contract handy to know your holiday entitlements and any compensation rules for working on a holiday.

With these dates and rules in mind, you can map out your work, travel, and family time across 2026 with confidence.

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