Saudi Arabia has officially announced the Eid ul Fitr 2026 public holiday schedule for employees in the government, private, and non-profit sectors across the Kingdom.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Eid holiday will last four days, from March 18 to March 21, allowing workers across the country time to celebrate the end of Ramazan.
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said the Eid ul Fitr holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors will begin at the end of the working day on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, which corresponds to 29 Ramazan 1447 AH.
The break will continue for four days until March 21, after which normal working hours will resume on Sunday, March 22.
The ministry confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, March 4, providing clarity for employers and workers ahead of the festive period.
Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi, the ministry’s official spokesperson, said the announcement was intended to help organizations plan operations during the holiday while protecting workers’ rights.
The regulations also state that if official holidays overlap with weekly rest days, employees must be compensated. Similarly, workers required to work during Eid due to operational needs must receive compensation according to labour provisions.
Government employees in Saudi Arabia are also expected to receive a similar four-day Eid holiday period. However, detailed instructions for public sector workers are typically issued through separate official circulars to government departments.
UAE announces Eid holidays
The United Arab Emirates has also announced Eid ul Fitr holidays for both federal government and private sector employees. For federal government entities, the holiday will run from March 19 to March 22, 2026, with official working hours resuming Monday, March 23.
For private sector employees, the holiday will last from March 19 to 21, with employees who normally work on Sundays returning to work on March 22.
Authorities added that if Ramazan lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday will extend until March 22.
The announcement was made jointly by the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
When Eid ul Fitr 2026 is expected
The exact date of Eid ul Fitr 2026 will be confirmed after the sighting of the crescent moon. Eid marks the first day of Shawwal, the Islamic month that follows Ramazan.
If the crescent moon is sighted on the evening of March 18, Eid will fall on March 19. If Ramazan completes 30 days, the festival will begin a day later.
Moon-sighting committees in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will conduct observations before announcing the final date.
Eid in Pakistan likely on March 21
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has predicted that Eid ul Fitr is likely to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The Cabinet Division has already issued a notification for public holidays in 2026, under which Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will be observed on March 21, 22, and 23 across the country.
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramazan and begins with special morning prayers at mosques and open grounds.
