Employment rules · 5 min read · Updated October 2026
Ramadan and Eid in payroll: the hours, the holidays and holiday pay
How Ramadan changes working hours in the Gulf and Egypt, which Eid days are paid holidays, what work on an Eid day earns, and the expected dates for 2027.
How do Ramadan and Eid change payroll in the Gulf?
In Ramadan, Muslim employees work at most 36 hours a week in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and 30 in Oman. Qatar caps every employee's week at 36 hours. The UAE shortens every employee's day by two hours, with no cut in pay. Each Eid brings paid holidays set by law or decree. Work on an Eid day earns extra pay or a day off in its place. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on 8 February 2027.
Set Ramadan hours before the month starts
Each Gulf country shortens the working day in Ramadan. The limits differ, and so do the employees they cover.
| Ramadan hours | Who they cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Up to 6 a day and 36 a week | Muslim employees |
| The UAE | Normal hours two shorter each day | Every employee |
| Qatar | Up to 6 a day and 36 a week | Every employee |
| Bahrain | Up to 6 a day and 36 a week | Muslim employees |
| Oman | Up to 6 a day and 30 a week | Muslim employees |
| Egypt | No rule for the private sector | The government sets its own staff's hours |
Kuwait's Labour Law caps the week at 36 hours in Ramadan.
In the UAE, the shorter day comes with no cut in pay. Elsewhere, the law shortens the hours and says nothing that reduces the wage.
Pay overtime in Ramadan as in any other month
No country here sets a different overtime rate for Ramadan. Each country's usual overtime rules apply, at its usual rates and limits.
A shorter day leaves less room before overtime begins. Record the hours actually worked, day by day, for every employee the shorter hours cover.
Know which Eid days are paid holidays
Each country sets its Eid holidays by law or decree. Each government confirms the dates on the sighting of the moon.
| Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha | Arafat Day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Four days, from the day after the 29th of Ramadan | Four days, from Arafat Day | Within Eid al-Adha |
| The UAE | The 1st to the 3rd of Shawwal, and the 30th of Ramadan when the month runs to it | The 10th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah | A holiday of its own, on the 9th |
| Qatar | Three working days | Three working days | Not a holiday |
| Kuwait | Three days | Three days | A holiday of its own |
| Bahrain | The 1st to the 3rd of Shawwal | The 10th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah | Not a holiday |
| Oman | The 29th of Ramadan to the 3rd of Shawwal | The 9th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah | Within Eid al-Adha |
| Egypt | Two days, from the first day of Shawwal | Three days, Arafat Day included | Within Eid al-Adha |
In Egypt, the minister can move the days to match the national calendar.
Pay work on an Eid day at the right rate
An employee who works on an Eid holiday is owed more than a normal day's pay, or a day off in its place.
| What work on a holiday earns | |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | The hourly wage plus 50% of basic, as overtime. Paid time off instead, with the employee's consent |
| The UAE | A rest day in its place, or the day's wage plus at least 50% of basic wage |
| Qatar | Paid as overtime: basic pay for the hours plus at least 25%, or 50% between 9pm and 3am |
| Kuwait | Twice the day's wage, and another day off |
| Bahrain | The day's wage plus 150% of it, or another day off, as the worker chooses |
| Oman | The day's wage plus 100% of the daily basic wage, or a day off in its place |
| Egypt | Extra pay, or another day off at the worker's written request |
Know what happens when a holiday meets a rest day or leave
| When a holiday falls on a weekly rest day | |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Made up with a day before or after |
| The UAE | Not moved |
| Qatar | Not lost: the Eid holidays are counted in working days |
| Bahrain | Given as another day, for a Friday or another official rest day |
| Oman | Made up with a day, for a Friday on the first day of either Eid |
A holiday during annual leave extends the leave in Saudi Arabia. It does not count against annual leave in Kuwait or Egypt. In the UAE it counts as part of the leave, unless the contract gives more.
Bring the pay date forward where the ministry asks
Oman's Labour Law lets the Minister set wages to be paid early, before a national or official holiday. Watch for the Ministry of Labour's circular before each Eid.
Elsewhere, no law moves a private employer's pay date for Eid. When Eid falls near the end of a month, agree the pay date and the cut-off before Ramadan starts.
Plan around the expected 2027 dates
| Expected date | |
|---|---|
| Ramadan begins | 8 February 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 9 March 2027 or 10 March 2027 |
| Arafat Day | 15 May 2027 |
| Eid al-Adha | 16 May 2027 |
These are the International Astronomical Center's expected dates. Each country confirms its own on the sighting of the moon. Oman publishes its national and religious holidays at the start of each year.
Close the month on one set of figures
Ramadan and Eid change the hours, the holidays and, in Oman, the pay date. Each change reaches payroll from a different place: attendance carries the shorter days, the rota carries the holiday shifts, and a ministry circular can move the pay date.
The month closes cleanly when all of it is in one record before the cut-off.
Common questions.
Is pay reduced when Ramadan hours are shorter?
Do non-Muslim employees work shorter hours in Ramadan?
What happens if Eid falls on a Friday?
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