Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week 2026 Guide

Whether you have just relocated to the Kingdom or you have lived here for years, understanding the rhythm of the working week and the calendar of official holidays helps you plan work, travel, banking, and family time. This Saudi Living guide breaks down when Saudis work, how many hours are standard, and exactly which public holidays fall in 2026 so you can prepare with confidence.

The Saudi working week and weekend

The standard working week in Saudi Arabia runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday serving as the official weekend for government bodies and most private-sector employers. This is the pattern you will encounter across schools, banks, ministries, and the majority of companies.

Some multinational firms and certain private companies now follow a Monday to Friday schedule to align with international partners. However, this remains the exception rather than the national norm, so always confirm your specific employer's calendar in your contract.

Standard working hours

Full-time schedules in most sectors are built around an eight-hour day, with a legal maximum of 48 hours per week outside Ramadan. During Ramadan, working hours for Muslim employees are reduced by law to 36 hours per week, typically around six hours

• Outside Ramadan: up to 48 hours
• During Ramadan (Muslim employees): reduced to 36 hours
• Civil service in Ramadan 2026: a five-hour day, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., while some senior and program-contract tracks work six hours.

Official public holidays in 2026

Saudi Arabia observes four main official public holiday occasions in 2026, adding up to nine paid public-holiday days in total:

• Founding Day: Sunday, 22 February 2026 (1 day).
• Eid al-Fitr: Friday 20 March – Sunday 22 March 2026 (3 days).
• Arafat Day / Hajj peak: Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (1 day).
• Eid al-Adha: Wednesday 27 May – Friday 29 May 2026 (3 days).
• Saudi National Day: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 (1 day).

Because the two Eids follow the lunar calendar, their exact dates may shift slightly upon official confirmation. Founding Day and National Day are fixed to the Gregorian calendar.

How the Eid breaks work in practice

Eid holidays are often extended in practice by combining the official days with the surrounding weekend. For private and non-profit sector employees, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development set the Eid al-Fitr break from the end of work on Wednesday 18 March 2026 through Saturday 21 March 2026, while the public-sector break is generally focused on 20–22 March 2026.

For Eid al-Adha 2026, banks and some government entities take extended holiday periods that can run from Arafat Day through several days after Eid, with multiple consecutive closures across late May 2026. If you have banking, government appointments, or shipments to arrange, plan them well before or after this window.

Planning tips for residents and expats

• Book travel early: Eid periods see peak demand for flights and hotels, so reserve well in advance.
• Handle government tasks ahead of time: Many services stay available online through official portals, but in-person offices close on public holidays.
• Check bank closures: Branches may close for several consecutive days during the Eids; digital banking usually continues.
• Confirm your employer's calendar: Private-sector holiday dates can differ slightly from the public sector.
• Verify exact dates officially: Since Eid dates depend on the lunar sighting, always confirm final announcements before making firm plans.

With a clear picture of the working week and the 2026 holiday calendar, you can time your work, travel, and errands to make the most of both your professional and personal life in the Kingdom.

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