Saudi Arabia announces Ramadan 2026 working hours
Workdays are set to be shortened
Ramadan is right around the corner, and you know what that means: all schools, offices, and even restaurants will be operating on a different schedule. And the country has also just revealed what the Saudi Arabia Ramadan 2026 working hours will look like.
Ramadan begins this week; preliminary astronomical calculations point to Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the likely first day of fasting in Saudi Arabia. The confirmed date is yet to be determined by the sighting of the crescent, which signifies the beginning of a month in the lunar calendar.
الموارد البشرية تؤكد رسميًا:
ساعات عمل القطاع الخاص خلال شهر رمضان المبارك لا تزيد على 6 ساعات في اليوم.
— أخبار السعودية (@SaudiNews50) February 14, 2026
Now, for the Saudi Arabia Ramadan 2026 working hours you’ve been waiting for. According to Saudi News 50, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has officially confirmed that working hours in Ramadan for the private sector should not exceed six hours.
In previous years, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced flexible working hours for Saudi employees and those who are fasting during Ramadan.
However, Ramadan working hours for the private sector may also depend on the management of private companies.
School timings
During the month of Ramadan, schools will begin at 9am instead of the usual 6.15am (summer) or 6.45am (winter). According to the announcement, staff in all departments of the school are required to work no more than five hours.
Students will only be going to school in Ramadan for 11 days, from February 18 or 19 (TBC) until Thursday March 5. Afterwards, the Ramadan/Eid Al-Fitr holiday will begin and last until Saturday March 28. School will likely resume following the usual summer starting times.
What is Ramadan?
The annual observance of Ramadan commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s (SWT) first revelation and is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. The holy month lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
Fasting from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) is obligatory (fard) during the month for all adult Muslims who are not chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant, or menstruating.
