Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained

Understanding when the Kingdom takes a break—and how the standard working week is structured—makes planning your year far easier, whether you're a resident, a newcomer, or an employer scheduling shifts. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the 2026 public holidays, your paid leave entitlements, daily and Ramadan working hours, and the rules on weekly rest. None of this requires an app, a fee, or an application; it's simply how the calendar and the Labor Law work.

Public holidays in 2026

Saudi Arabia observes a mix of national and religious holidays. For 2026, the key dates are:

• Founding Day — 22 February
• Eid al-Fitr — approximately 20–23 March
• Arafat Day — 26 May
• Eid al-Adha — 27–30 May
• Saudi National Day — 23 September

Because the Eid and Arafat dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar, they are tied to the moon sighting and remain subject to official announcement. Treat the Eid dates above as close estimates and confirm them when the announcement is made.

Flag Day — an observance, not a day off

Flag Day falls on 11 March. It is an official observance marked across the Kingdom, but it is not a statutory public holiday—so it does not carry a paid day off under the Labor Law. If you're planning around it, treat it as a normal working day unless your employer states otherwise.

Your paid holiday entitlement

The Labor Law sets clear paid holiday periods for the main occasions:

• Eid al-Fitr — 4 paid days
• Eid al-Adha — 4 paid days, beginning on Arafat Day
• Founding Day — 1 paid day
• National Day — 1 paid day

These are minimum entitlements. Many employers add bridging days or extend the break, especially around the two Eids, but the figures above are what the law guarantees.

The standard working day and week

Daily working time is capped at a maximum of 8 actual hours. "Actual hours" means productive working time, not counting standard breaks. Employers may organize the week around these limits

On weekly rest, every worker is entitled to at least 24 consecutive hours of paid weekly rest. Friday is the standard rest day. An employer may substitute Friday for a different day for some workers, but only after notifying the Labor Office—so if your rest day is moved, it should be done properly and on the record.

Working hours during Ramadan

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslim employees' actual working time is reduced to 6 hours This is a legal reduction, not merely a courtesy, and it applies to the fasting period. Employers often adjust start and finish times as well, but the core rule is the shorter working day.

When a holiday overlaps a rest day

Sometimes a public holiday lands on your weekly rest day or coincides with another statutory leave. In those cases, the Labor Law's substitute-day and leave-extension rules apply—meaning you should not simply lose the benefit. The employer is required to compensate the overlap, typically by granting a substitute day or extending the leave. If you think a holiday was absorbed into your rest day without adjustment, raise it with your employer.

Practical tips for residents and employers

• Plan travel around the two Eids early, but stay flexible until the official dates are confirmed.
• Remember that Flag Day is a working day for most people.
• Keep your employment contract handy—it may grant more generous leave than the legal minimum.
• If your rest day is moved off Friday, confirm the change was notified to the Labor Office.
• During Ramadan, plan meetings and deadlines around the shorter 6-hour day.

None of these arrangements require an online application, a fee, or a validity period. They flow directly from the Labor Law and the national calendar—so you can plan your year with confidence.

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