Ramadan working hours in Saudi Arabia — 2027
What Saudi Arabia's labour law says about working hours in Ramadan for private-sector employees: the limit, the article that sets it, who it covers and how overtime works.
The legal limit in Ramadan
| Ramadan limit | For Muslim workers, actual working hours during Ramadan may not exceed 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week. |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Saudi Labour Law (Royal Decree M/51), Article 98 |
| Outside Ramadan | Outside Ramadan the limit is 8 hours a day on the daily standard, or 48 hours a week on the weekly standard (Article 98). |
| Non-Muslim employees | Not covered — the law limits it to Muslim workers |
Does it apply to non-Muslim employees?
No. Article 98 reduces Ramadan hours for Muslim workers. Non-Muslim staff stay on the normal limits unless the employer chooses to give them shorter hours too.
Overtime during Ramadan
Article 107: each overtime hour is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage, or, with the worker's consent, as paid compensatory leave days. Where the establishment works on the weekly standard, hours above that standard are overtime, and every hour worked on Eid and official holidays is overtime.
This page covers private-sector employees under Saudi Arabia's labour law. For a specific case — shift work, a free zone, a sector exemption — check with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
When does Ramadan 2027 start?(expected)
Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin on Monday, 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr expected on Tuesday, 9 March 2027. Both dates are estimated from the Umm al-Qura calendar: each authority confirms the start by moon sighting, and it can differ by a day. We update this page when the announcement is published.
Eid dates and every other public holiday: Saudi Arabia public holidays
Frequently asked questions
What are the working hours during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia?
For Muslim workers, actual working hours during Ramadan may not exceed 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week. Legal basis: Saudi Labour Law (Royal Decree M/51), Article 98. Outside Ramadan the limit is 8 hours a day on the daily standard, or 48 hours a week on the weekly standard (Article 98).
Do reduced Ramadan hours apply to non-Muslim employees in Saudi Arabia?
No. Article 98 reduces Ramadan hours for Muslim workers. Non-Muslim staff stay on the normal limits unless the employer chooses to give them shorter hours too.
How is overtime paid during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia?
Article 107: each overtime hour is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage, or, with the worker's consent, as paid compensatory leave days. Where the establishment works on the weekly standard, hours above that standard are overtime, and every hour worked on Eid and official holidays is overtime. This page covers private-sector employees under Saudi Arabia's labour law. For a specific case — shift work, a free zone, a sector exemption — check with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
When does Ramadan 2027 start in Saudi Arabia?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday, 8 February 2027, an estimate from the Umm al-Qura calendar. The official start is confirmed by moon sighting and can differ by a day.