Public holidays in Saudi Arabia: Eid, National Day, Founding Day

Saudi Arabia has four official holidays for private-sector workers: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Founding Day and National Day. They are paid holidays under Article 112 of the Labor Law, and their length is set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD). This guide gives the rules, the expected dates for 2027, what each holiday commemorates, and what happens when a holiday overlaps with a weekend, your leave or the probation period.

In short: 4 days for Eid al-Fitr, 4 days for Eid al-Adha, 1 day for Founding Day on 22 February and 1 day for National Day on 23 September, all with full pay.

The official holidays

These are the holidays the HRSD sets for workers in the private sector. Public-sector employees and schools follow their own calendars, which are announced separately.

Expected dates for 2027

The Eid dates are calculated with the Umm al-Qura calendar, the Hijri calendar used in Saudi Arabia: 29 Ramadan 1448 falls on Monday 8 March 2027 and 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 (the Day of Arafah) on Saturday 15 May 2027. The final dates depend on the official sighting of the moon and can shift by a day.

Tip: if you plan to travel during Eid, book flexible tickets or add a buffer day: the holiday may start one day earlier or later than calculated.

Ramadan 2027

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027 (Umm al-Qura calendar). During Ramadan, Muslim workers have reduced working hours: 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week. See working hours in Saudi Arabia.

Looking ahead: 2028 and 2029

These dates use the same Umm al-Qura calculation and are only indicative. Notice how Founding Day and Eid al-Fitr come closer each year: in 2029, Founding Day is expected a few days after the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

When holidays fall on a Friday in 2027 and 2028

Friday is the legal weekly rest day. When an official holiday overlaps with a weekly rest day, the HRSD rule gives a day off before or after. Based on the expected dates:

If your contract gives you a second weekly rest day, check your internal work regulations: the law guarantees one rest day, Friday unless another day was agreed.

Why the Eids move every year

The two Eids follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar, whose year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Each year, the Eids therefore come about 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar.

• Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. The holiday starts on the day after 29 Ramadan, whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the first day of the holiday is 30 Ramadan and Eid day itself falls on the second day of the holiday.
• Eid al-Adha comes during the Hajj season. The holiday starts on the Day of Arafah, the day before Eid.

What each day commemorates

Founding Day (22 February)

Founding Day marks the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in Diriyah, in 1727 (1139 AH). A royal order of January 2022 designated 22 February of each year as Founding Day. It was first celebrated in 2022.

National Day (23 September)

National Day commemorates the royal decree of King Abdulaziz of 23 September 1932 unifying the country under the name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

When a holiday overlaps with something else

The HRSD sets these rules:

Example 1. National Day falls on a Friday, your weekly rest day. You get a day off on the Thursday before or the Saturday after.

Example 2. You take 21 days of annual leave and the 4-day Eid al-Adha holiday falls inside it. Your leave is extended by 4 days.

Working on a public holiday

All hours worked on an official holiday count as overtime: they are paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic hourly wage.

Example. Your actual wage is SAR 6,000 and your basic wage SAR 4,000. You work 8 hours on National Day. Each hour is paid SAR 25 + SAR 8.33 = SAR 33.33, so about SAR 267 for the day. The calculation is explained in our guide on working hours and overtime.

Planning leave around the holidays

Because Eid days falling inside your annual leave extend it, combining leave and Eid can give a long break:

Example. You take 21 days of annual leave starting Monday 1 March 2027. The four expected Eid al-Fitr days (9 to 12 March) fall inside it, so your leave is extended by 4 days: it ends on 25 March instead of 21 March.

Remember that the employer sets leave dates according to work needs and must give you 30 days’ notice of them; ask early. Expatriates also need an exit re-entry visa to travel.

Holidays and the probation period

Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day and Founding Day are not counted in the probation period, which is extended accordingly. See probation period in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj leave

Separately from the Eid al-Adha holiday, a worker with at least two consecutive years of service who has never performed Hajj is entitled once to a paid Hajj leave of 10 to 15 days, which includes the Eid al-Adha holiday. Details in leave entitlements in Saudi Arabia.

Practical tips for Eid

• Visas: expatriates travelling for Eid need an exit re-entry visa, issued by the employer or the head of family. Check that traffic violations are paid, as they block the visa.
• Emergencies: emergency services run during holidays; save the emergency numbers.

ℹ️ This information is for guidance only and may change. Always check with the relevant authority or its official website before starting a procedure. Spotted an error? Tell us.