Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained

Understanding how the week works in Saudi Arabia—and which days are official holidays—makes settling in far easier, whether you are planning errands, booking flights, or scheduling business meetings. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the standard working week, Ramadan adjustments, and the main public holidays residents and employees can expect, along with how holiday dates are confirmed each year.

The Saudi working week at a glance

The official working week in Saudi Arabia runs from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the normal weekly rest days, so the "weekend" here falls on those two days rather than Saturday and Sunday. If you are coming from a country where the weekend is Saturday–Sunday, this is one of the first rhythms you will adjust to.

• Working days: Sunday through Thursday.
• Weekend: Friday and Saturday.
• Standard private-sector daily limit: up to 8 hours.

Friday in particular carries special significance as the day of congregational prayer, and you will notice many shops and services adjust their timing around midday prayers.

Working hours during Ramadan

Ramadan brings a noticeable change in pace. During the holy month, daily working hours are reduced—up to 6 hours per day for employees—allowing time for fasting, worship, and family. Many businesses shift to later opening times, and the overall rhythm of the day moves toward the evening after sunset.

Government offices and banks also adjust their schedules. For banks and financial institutions, Ramadan customer-service hours are generally 10:00 to 16:00, though branches serving pilgrims, border crossings, and the holy sites may keep different hours to meet demand.

Official public holidays

Saudi Arabia observes several official holidays across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. For 2026, the confirmed national dates include:

• Founding Day: Sunday, 22 February 2026. This is one official holiday observed across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, marking the deep historical roots of the Saudi state.
• Saudi National Day: Wednesday, 23 September 2026. This is one official holiday for private and non-profit-sector employees, commemorating the unification of the Kingdom.

Importantly, there is no fee and no document-validity period attached to these national holiday dates—they are simply observed as days off

The two Eids: dates confirmed by the calendar

The two major Islamic holidays—Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha—are also official holidays. Unlike the fixed national dates above, their exact timing each year depends on the officially confirmed Hijri calendar and moon-sighting determination. This means the precise 2026 dates are announced closer to the time rather than set far in advance.

Our advice: if you are booking travel or planning time off around either Eid, keep some flexibility in your plans and wait for the official announcement before finalising non-refundable bookings. Eid holidays are often among the busiest travel periods of the year.

Government offices, banks, and daily life

Government offices normally operate Sunday to Thursday, though exact opening hours vary by authority and change again during Ramadan. For anything time-sensitive, it is worth checking the specific ministry or authority's current schedule before you visit.

• Government services: Sunday–Thursday, hours vary by entity.
• Banks: standard weekdays, with Ramadan hours generally 10:00–16:00; some specialised branches operate during weekends and holidays.
• Retail and dining: many venues stay open late, especially during Ramadan and around holidays.

How holidays are announced and applied

Public-holiday arrangements are governed by the Labour Law and the official instructions of the Ministry of Human Resources. Employers are expected to apply these rules consistently, and official holiday announcements are issued through government channels each year.

For employees, a few practical points help avoid confusion:

• Check your employment contract and company policy for how holidays and any compensatory days are handled.
• Rely on official government announcements for confirmed Eid dates rather than unofficial predictions.
• Remember that holiday observance can differ slightly between the public and private sectors—always confirm which applies to your role.

Quick takeaways

In short: work runs Sunday to Thursday, the weekend is Friday and Saturday, and daily hours drop during Ramadan. Founding Day and National Day fall on fixed dates, while the two Eids follow the Hijri calendar and are confirmed through official moon-sighting. When in doubt, always confirm specific dates and office hours through the relevant official Saudi government portal or ministry before making firm plans.

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