Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained

Whether you've just moved to the Kingdom or you've lived here for years, knowing how the Saudi working week is structured — and when the major public holidays fall — helps you plan work, travel, banking, and family time with confidence. This guide from سعودي ليفنج breaks down the standard weekend, daily working hours, the special Ramadan schedule, and the confirmed 2026 public holidays across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

The Saudi weekend and working week

Across the public sector, private sector, and non-profit organizations, the official weekend in Saudi Arabia falls on Friday and Saturday. The standard working week therefore runs from Sunday to Thursday.

This is worth remembering when scheduling meetings, deliveries, government appointments, or international calls — Sunday is the start of the business week here, while many other countries treat it as a rest day.

Standard working hours

Full-time work in most sectors is built around a 48-hour week during ordinary (non-Ramadan) periods. In practice this is usually structured as:

• 8 working hours per day, Sunday through Thursday.
• A five-day week, with Friday and Saturday off.

Actual start and finish times, break periods, and any shift arrangements vary by employer and industry, so always check your employment contract and internal company policy for the exact schedule that applies to you.

Working hours during Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan comes with a lighter daily schedule for Muslim employees:

• 6 hours per day and 36 hours per week for Muslim employees.
• Non-Muslim employees generally continue on their normal schedule of up to 8 hours

Many companies also adjust official start times during Ramadan. If your workplace has additional flexible or remote arrangements, confirm the details with your HR department before the month begins.

Confirmed public holidays in 2026

Saudi public holidays combine fixed national dates with Islamic (Hijri) occasions that shift each year. For 2026, the following have been announced and are observed across the public, private, and non-profit sectors:

• Founding Day — Sunday 22 February 2026: a one-day national holiday.
• Eid al-Fitr — the first day of Eid falls on Friday 20 March 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447 AH), following the official confirmation that Ramadan lasted 30 days. Additional holiday days include Thursday 19 March, Saturday 21 March, and Sunday 22 March 2026, giving a multi-day Eid break.
• Arafat Day (Waqfat Arafah) — Tuesday 26 May 2026.
• Eid al-Adha — the first day falls on Wednesday 27 May 2026 (10 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH), with additional holidays on Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May 2026 for a multi-day break.
• Saudi National Day — Wednesday 23 September 2026: a one-day national holiday.

Flag Day: an observance, not a day off

Flag Day, marked on 11 March 2026, is recognized as a national observance rather than a full public holiday. It does not automatically grant a paid day off, so normal working hours apply unless your employer decides otherwise.

Extended schedules and planning ahead

Many government bodies, banks, and regulated financial institutions extend the Eid and National Day breaks beyond the core dates. This means the actual number of days off for public servants and some institutions can be longer than the headline holiday dates suggest.

Because these extended schedules and any adjustments to Islamic-calendar occasions depend on official moon-sighting and government announcements, our practical advice is:

• Confirm your own days off directly with your employer or HR department.
• Check the relevant official Saudi government portal before booking travel that overlaps with Eid or National Day.
• Plan banking, visa, and government transactions in advance, as service hours change around holidays.

Keep this guide handy as a reference for 2026, and always verify final dates and extended holiday arrangements through official channels close to each occasion.

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