What are the working hours during Ramadan 2026 in Saudi Arabia?

For Muslim employees in the private sector, working hours are reduced to a maximum of 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week under Article 98 of Saudi Labour Law. Government (public sector) employees work 5 hours per day, typically 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Are breaks counted in the 6-hour Ramadan working day?

No. Prayer breaks and rest periods are not counted as actual working hours under Saudi Labour Law. The 6-hour limit refers to actual working time only.

Ramadan Working Hours Saudi Arabia 2026 — Private, Public & Banking Sector Rules

Q: Do Ramadan working hours apply to non-Muslim expats?

Technically, Article 98 of Saudi Labour Law specifies the reduction applies to Muslim employees. Non-Muslim employees can legally be asked to work their regular 8 hours. However, many companies apply reduced hours to all employees for operational consistency. Check your company's Ramadan policy or ask HR.

Q: Can my employer make me work more than 6 hours during Ramadan?

Any hours worked beyond the 6-hour Ramadan limit must be compensated as overtime at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. Your employer cannot require you to work standard 8-hour days during Ramadan without paying overtime for the extra hours.

Q: When is Ramadan 2026 in Saudi Arabia?

Ramadan 2026 began on approximately 18–19 February 2026 and ended around 19–20 March 2026 with the start of Eid Al Fitr. The exact start date depends on the official moon sighting announced by the Saudi Supreme Court.

Quick Summary — Ramadan 2026

Ramadan 2026 ran from approximately 18–19 February to 19–20 March 2026
Private sector Muslim employees: maximum 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week (Article 98)
Government (public sector) employees: 5 hours/day, typically 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Non-Muslims: standard hours legally, though many companies apply reduced hours across all staff
Any hours beyond the 6-hour limit must be paid as overtime at 1.5× rate
Prayer breaks and rest periods are not counted in the 6-hour working day

When Is Ramadan 2026 in Saudi Arabia?

Ramadan 1447 AH began on approximately 18–19 February 2026 following the official moon sighting announced by the Saudi Supreme Court. The holy month concluded around 19–20 March 2026, with Eid Al Fitr holidays immediately following.

The exact start date is always subject to the official moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. Reduced working hour rules apply from the first day of Ramadan and remain in effect for the entire month.

Working Hours by Sector — Ramadan 2026

🏢

Private Sector

hours per day max

36 hrs / week

🏛️

Government / Public

hours per day

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🏦

Banking Sector

hours per day

Reduced schedule

ℹ️ The legal basis: Article 98 of Saudi Labour Law states that actual working hours during Ramadan shall be reduced for Muslims, not exceeding 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week. This is a legal minimum — employers can offer fewer hours, but cannot require more without paying overtime.

Private Sector — Detailed Rules

For private sector employees, the Saudi Labour Law (Article 98) mandates that Muslim employees who are fasting work no more than 6 actual hours per day or 36 hours per week during Ramadan. This is a reduction from the standard 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week.

Maximum daily hours: 6 hours (actual working time) Prayer breaks, meal breaks and other rest periods are not counted as actual working hours. The 6-hour limit refers to productive working time only.

Maximum weekly hours: 36 hours If a 6-day work week is in place, hours must still not exceed 36 per week in total. Many companies move to a 6-hour × 6-day or 7-hour × 5-day schedule — the weekly cap governs either way.

Overtime beyond 6 hours: paid at 1.5× rate Any hours worked beyond the Ramadan limit must be compensated as overtime. The rate is 1.5 times the regular hourly wage. This applies even if the employee agrees in writing — overtime compensation is a legal obligation, not a choice.

Salary is not reduced The reduction in working hours does not mean a reduction in pay. Employees receive their full monthly salary for working fewer hours during Ramadan. This is explicitly protected under Saudi Labour Law.

Shift workers and rotating schedules Employers in essential services, hospitality, healthcare and retail may operate rotating shift models during Ramadan. The 6-hour daily and 36-hour weekly caps still apply per individual employee. Collective shift patterns that keep operations running 24 hours are permitted provided each individual's hours stay within limits.

Government (Public) Sector Hours

Government ministries and public sector entities typically follow a 5-hour working day during Ramadan, generally from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Some departments operate on flexible timing plans approved by their respective authorities.

The official Ramadan schedule for government employees is announced annually by the relevant ministry. Check with your specific employer or department for exact timings — variations between ministries and regions are common.

⚠️ Government transactions: If you need to visit a government office — Jawazat, HRSD, courts, Absher centres — during Ramadan, plan for the reduced 5-hour window. Many services are also available online through Absher, Muqeem and Qiwa to avoid the need to visit in person.

Banking Sector Hours

Saudi banks operating under SAMA (Saudi Central Bank) supervision traditionally reduce branch hours during Ramadan. While SAMA announces official banking hours closer to or at the start of Ramadan, typical Ramadan branch hours have historically been around:

Branch opening hours: approximately 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (vary by bank)
ATMs and digital banking: remain fully operational 24/7 throughout Ramadan
Online and mobile banking: available as normal — highly recommended during Ramadan
Corporate/business banking services: may have reduced in-person availability; contact your relationship manager directly

Always verify with your specific bank. Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank, SABB and other major banks typically publish their Ramadan schedule on their websites and apps in advance.

What About Non-Muslim Expat Employees?

This is the question most expats want answered clearly. Here is the legal position:

Legally: Article 98 of Saudi Labour Law specifies the Ramadan working hour reduction applies to Muslim employees. Non-Muslim employees are not technically entitled to the same reduction by law — employers can ask non-Muslims to work their standard hours (up to 8 hours per day).

In practice: The majority of private sector companies in Saudi Arabia apply reduced Ramadan hours to all employees — Muslim and non-Muslim alike. This is done for operational consistency, team cohesion, and workplace morale. It is company policy, not a legal requirement.

💡 Practical advice for non-Muslim expats: Check your company's Ramadan HR policy as soon as Ramadan approaches. If your employer applies reduced hours to all staff, you benefit automatically. If not, you are expected to maintain standard working hours. Either way, it is worth confirming in writing from HR to avoid any confusion.

What Your Employer Cannot Do During Ramadan

✗

Require more than 6 hours without overtime pay

If your employer needs you to work beyond the Ramadan 6-hour limit, those additional hours are overtime and must be paid at 1.5 times your hourly rate. There is no opt-out from this — even verbal agreement to forgo overtime pay is not legally binding.

✗

Reduce your salary because you are working fewer hours

Working 6 hours instead of 8 during Ramadan does not entitle the employer to reduce your monthly salary. You are entitled to your full pay for the Ramadan months regardless of the reduced schedule.

✗

Schedule back-to-back shifts to circumvent the daily limit

Some employers try to schedule employees for split shifts or back-to-back roles to work around the daily cap. The 6-hour limit applies per employee per day — any arrangement that results in more than 6 actual working hours is a violation.

✗

Count prayer time as part of the 6 working hours

Prayer breaks and rest periods are explicitly excluded from "actual working hours" under Saudi Labour Law. If your employer counts the Dhuhr or Asr prayer break as part of your 6-hour shift, that is a violation.

✗

Eat or drink in front of fasting employees in the workplace

While not directly a Labour Law issue, publicly eating, drinking or smoking in front of fasting colleagues during daylight hours in Ramadan is both socially inappropriate and contrary to workplace respect policies. Non-Muslims should use designated areas for eating during the day.

Calculating Overtime Pay During Ramadan

If you are required to work beyond 6 hours on any day during Ramadan, here is how to calculate what you are owed:

Step	Calculation	Example (SAR 6,000/month salary)
Monthly salary	Your basic salary	SAR 6,000
Hourly rate	Monthly salary ÷ 30 days ÷ 8 hrs	SAR 6,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = SAR 25/hr
Overtime rate	Hourly rate × 1.5	SAR 25 × 1.5 = SAR 37.50/hr
1 hour of overtime	Overtime rate × 1 hour	SAR 37.50
2 hours of overtime/day	Overtime rate × 2 hours	SAR 75.00

⚠️ Record your hours: If you regularly work beyond 6 hours during Ramadan and are not being paid overtime, document it. Keep a personal log of your daily start and end times. If a dispute arises, this is essential evidence for an HRSD complaint.

Practical Tips for Expats During Ramadan

Confirm your schedule in writing — ask HR to confirm the Ramadan working hours for your team in writing before Ramadan starts. This avoids any ambiguity mid-month.
Avoid eating and drinking at your desk — even if your employer permits it, consuming food or drinks visibly during the fasting hours is considered disrespectful. Use a private room or designated area.
Adjust your productivity schedule — most people's energy levels during Ramadan follow a different pattern. Work on your most demanding tasks earlier in the shift when energy is higher.
Plan government visits carefully — if you need to renew your Iqama, visit Jawazat or handle any government paperwork during Ramadan, do it early in the reduced window (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM is safest).
Know your rights on Eid Al Fitr — Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan is a public holiday. Private sector employees are entitled to at least 4 days off for Eid Al Fitr under Saudi Labour Law.
Traffic and timing — roads near mosques can be very busy before and after Iftar (sunset). If you are driving to or from work, factor in extra travel time around prayer times.

Normal Working Hours vs Ramadan Hours — Side by Side

Rule	Normal (Non-Ramadan)	Ramadan (Muslims)
Daily hours (private sector)	8 hours/day	6 hours/day
Weekly hours (private sector)	48 hours/week	36 hours/week
Daily hours (public sector)	7–8 hours/day	5 hours/day
Monthly salary	Full salary	Full salary (no reduction)
Overtime rate	1.5× after 8 hrs/day	1.5× after 6 hrs/day
Prayer/break time	Not counted in working hours	Not counted in working hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Ramadan working hours apply to non-Muslim expats?

Legally, Article 98 specifies the reduction applies to Muslim employees. Non-Muslims can be asked to work regular hours. However, many companies apply reduced hours to all employees for consistency. Check your company's Ramadan HR policy or ask HR directly.

Can my employer make me work more than 6 hours during Ramadan?

Yes, but any hours beyond the 6-hour Ramadan limit must be paid as overtime at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. Requiring extra hours without overtime pay is a Labour Law violation reportable to HRSD.

Will my salary be reduced because of shorter Ramadan hours?

No. The reduction in working hours during Ramadan does not affect your monthly salary. You receive your full pay regardless of working 6 hours instead of 8. Any employer who reduces salary on this basis is in violation of Saudi Labour Law.

Are prayer breaks counted in the 6 working hours?

No. Prayer breaks, rest periods and meal breaks are excluded from "actual working hours" under Saudi Labour Law. The 6-hour Ramadan limit refers to productive working time only.

How many days off are expats entitled to for Eid Al Fitr?

Private sector employees are entitled to at least 4 days off for Eid Al Fitr under Saudi Labour Law. Many employers offer more. Eid Al Fitr is one of Saudi Arabia's 5 official public holidays.

What if my employer violates Ramadan working hour rules?

File a complaint with HRSD at hrsd.gov.sa or through the Musaned or Qiwa platforms. Keep a written record of your daily working hours as evidence. HRSD can impose fines on employers who violate working hour regulations.

Do Ramadan hours apply during the last 10 days of Ramadan too?

Yes. The reduced working hours apply for the entire month of Ramadan — from the first day to the last. There is no distinction between the first and last 10 days under Labour Law.