UAE Ramadan Working Hours 2026: Complete Employer Guide

What Are the Ramadan Working Hours in UAE 2026?

Quick Summary: Ramadan 2026 in UAE requires a mandatory 2-hour daily reduction in working hours for all private sector employees. This is mandated under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, implementing Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations. The rule applies to all workers regardless of religion.

With Ramadan 2026 expected to begin around February 18-19, 2026 (subject to official moon sighting), employers must prepare their attendance systems, payroll configurations, and shift schedules now.

When Does Ramadan 2026 Start in UAE?

Based on astronomical calculations, Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18 or Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) has indicated a stronger chance of the holy month beginning on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Important: The official start date will be confirmed by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee based on the sighting of the crescent moon. All dates below are subject to this official confirmation.

Expected dates for Ramadan 2026:

Expected start: February 18-19, 2026
Expected end: March 19-20, 2026
Eid Al Fitr: March 20, 2026 (expected)
Fasting hours: Approximately 12 hours 50 minutes to 13 hours 10 minutes daily

What Are the Ramadan Working Hours for Private Sector?

Under UAE labor law, private sector working hours during Ramadan must be reduced by 2 hours per day for all employees. This is a legal requirement, not a discretionary benefit.

Legal basis:

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 17(4) states that working hours during Ramadan are determined by executive regulations
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Article 15(2) mandates: "The normal working hours shall be reduced by two hours during the holy month of Ramadan"

Standard vs Ramadan hours:

Normal Working Day	Ramadan Working Day
8 hours	6 hours
9 hours (approved sectors)	7 hours
48 hours per week	36-42 hours per week

This reduction applies to:

All private sector employees regulated by MOHRE
Both Muslim and non-Muslim employees
All job roles and seniority levels
Full-time, part-time, and contract workers

As stated in official MOHRE circulars: "In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during the days of Ramadan."

What Are the Public Sector Ramadan Hours?

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) issued an official circular on February 5, 2026 announcing Ramadan working hours for federal government employees for the year 1446 AH.

Official public sector schedule per FAHR circular:

Day	Working Hours
Monday to Thursday	9:00 AM to 2:30 PM (5.5 hours)
Friday	9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (3 hours)

Remote work provisions: FAHR has confirmed that ministries and federal entities may grant flexibility to employees to work remotely on Fridays during Ramadan, at a rate not exceeding 70% of the entity's total number of employees, according to the approved terms.

Note: Different emirates may announce slight variations for local government entities. Always check official circulars from your emirate's government HR authority.

Which Industries Have Different Ramadan Rules?

While the 2-hour reduction is standard across the private sector, some industries and categories have specific provisions under the Executive Regulations.

Industries with 9-hour normal days (reduced to 7 hours in Ramadan):

Hotels and hospitality
Cafes and restaurants
Security services
Retail (with MOHRE approval)

Categories that may be exempt from standard working-time rules:

Senior executives with decision-making authority
Board members
Maritime crews
Continuous shift-based operations (subject to conditions in Executive Regulations)

Free zone exceptions:

DIFC: Muslim employees may not be required to work more than six hours per day during Ramadan. Non-Muslim employees remain subject to general DIFC working-time limits.
ADGM: Follows its own employment regulations; reduced hours typically apply to fasting Muslim employees.
Other free zones (DMCC, JAFZA, etc.): Generally follow the mainland 2-hour reduction rules.

How to Calculate Overtime During Ramadan?

If employees work beyond the reduced Ramadan hours, it counts as overtime and must be compensated according to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 19.

Overtime rates during Ramadan:

Type of Overtime	Legal Minimum Rate
Daytime overtime (after reduced hours)	Basic hourly wage + 25% minimum
Night overtime (10 PM - 4 AM)	Basic hourly wage + 50% minimum
Work on rest day	Basic wage + 50% OR compensatory day off

Example calculation:

If an employee's basic monthly salary is AED 5,000:

Hourly rate during Ramadan: AED 5,000 ÷ 30 days ÷ 6 hours = AED 27.78
Daytime overtime rate: AED 27.78 × 1.25 = AED 34.72/hour
Night overtime rate: AED 27.78 × 1.50 = AED 41.67/hour

Important: Under Article 17 of the Decree-Law, employers may require employees to work up to 2 additional hours per day as overtime. However, total working hours must not exceed 144 hours over any consecutive three-week period.

What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

Employers who fail to implement reduced Ramadan hours are in breach of UAE labour law. According to legal experts and MOHRE guidelines, non-compliance may result in:

Potential consequences:

Administrative penalties imposed by MOHRE
Fines depending on the seriousness, duration of violation, and number of employees affected
Mandatory overtime back-payment with legally required uplift rates
Labour disputes and employee complaints
Work permit processing delays

Employee recourse: Workers who believe their company is not complying can file complaints directly with MOHRE through the ministry's official channels or the MoHRE Smart App.

Note: Specific penalty amounts vary based on the nature and extent of violations. Employers should consult with legal advisors for guidance on specific situations.

How Should Employers Prepare for Ramadan 2026?

Follow this checklist to ensure compliance:

Administrative preparation:

Update attendance systems to reflect 6-hour workdays starting from confirmed Ramadan date
Revise shift schedules for all departments
Communicate new timings to all employees at least 2 weeks before Ramadan
Update payroll software for Ramadan hour calculations and overtime thresholds
Brief managers on overtime approval procedures and legal requirements

Operational adjustments:

Schedule important meetings before 2 PM
Avoid heavy workloads close to Iftar time
Consider flexible start times (e.g., 8 AM - 2 PM or 9 AM - 3 PM)
Plan for adjusted productivity and modify deadlines accordingly
Arrange Iftar breaks for employees working late shifts

Payroll configuration:

Configure Ramadan working hours in your HR system
Set up automatic overtime calculations based on 6-hour threshold
Prepare for different hour configurations by department
Test payroll runs before the first Ramadan pay cycle

How Does RadixHR Handle Ramadan Working Hours?

RadixHR automates Ramadan compliance with built-in UAE labor law rules:

Automatic Ramadan configuration:

One-click activation of Ramadan working hours
Automatic 2-hour reduction applied to all attendance records
Smart overtime calculation based on reduced hours threshold
Separate configurations for different employee groups (mainland vs free zone)

Biometric integration:

Real-time attendance tracking with Ramadan hour limits
Automatic flagging of overtime entries for approval
Integration with popular biometric devices
Mobile attendance for remote workers

Payroll automation:

Automatic overtime rate calculations (125% day, 150% night) per Article 19
Ramadan-specific payroll reports
WPS-compliant salary file generation
End-of-Ramadan adjustment handling

Learn how RadixHR simplifies Ramadan HR management →

Ramadan 2026 HR Best Practices

Beyond legal compliance, consider these best practices for a productive Ramadan:

Employee wellbeing:

Provide a quiet space for prayers
Stock pantry with dates and water for Iftar
Be understanding of energy fluctuations during fasting
Allow flexible breaks for those who need them

Productivity optimization:

Front-load important tasks to morning hours
Reduce meeting durations
Set realistic deadlines considering reduced hours
Cross-train teams for coverage

Communication:

Announce Ramadan schedule at least 2 weeks early
Remind employees of their rights under the law
Clarify overtime procedures and approval process
Celebrate the spirit of Ramadan together

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Ramadan working hour reductions apply to non-Muslim employees?

Yes, the 2-hour reduction applies to all private sector employees regardless of religion. This is confirmed by MOHRE and is a workplace regulation under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, not a religious accommodation. The only exceptions are in DIFC (where reduced hours apply to Muslim employees only) and ADGM (where reduced hours apply to fasting Muslim employees).

Can employers require employees to work normal hours during Ramadan?

No. Reduced Ramadan hours are mandatory under UAE law per Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. Employers cannot require normal 8-hour workdays during Ramadan. If business needs require longer hours, employees must be compensated with overtime pay at the legally mandated rates (minimum 25% uplift for day, 50% for night work) as per Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

How are Ramadan working hours calculated for part-time employees?

Part-time employees also receive a proportional reduction. The 2-hour reduction applies to standard full-time schedules. For part-time employees, the reduction should maintain the same proportion. Consult with MOHRE or a legal advisor for specific situations.

What if Ramadan falls during an employee's probation period?

Probationary employees have the same rights to reduced Ramadan hours as permanent employees. The 2-hour reduction applies from day one of employment, regardless of probation status or contract type. This is a statutory requirement that cannot be waived.

Do Ramadan hours affect annual leave calculations?

No. Annual leave entitlements remain calculated based on the standard working year. The temporary Ramadan reduction does not impact leave accrual or entitlement calculations. A day of annual leave during Ramadan counts as one full day per the employment contract.

How should employers handle employees who don't fast?

All employees receive the same reduced hours regardless of whether they fast, as the law applies to the workplace, not the individual. However, employers should ensure that non-fasting employees do not eat, drink, or smoke in public areas or in front of fasting colleagues during fasting hours, as this is required under UAE law during Ramadan.

What happens if an employee wants to work additional hours voluntarily?

If an employee wishes to work additional hours beyond the reduced Ramadan schedule, this must be treated as voluntary overtime and compensated accordingly per Article 19 of the Decree-Law. Document any such arrangements clearly in writing and ensure proper overtime pay is processed.

Are there different rules for shift workers during Ramadan?

Shift workers are entitled to the same 2-hour reduction. However, employers can reorganize shifts to maintain operations while ensuring no individual works more than the reduced daily limit. Night shift workers (10 PM - 4 AM) should receive the higher overtime rate (50% minimum) for any hours exceeding their reduced schedule.

Summary: Key Ramadan 2026 Working Hours Facts

Aspect	Requirement	Legal Reference
Reduction	2 hours per day (mandatory)	Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Art. 15(2)
Private sector hours	6 hours (down from 8)	Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Art. 17
Applies to	All employees regardless of religion	MOHRE circulars
Public sector (Mon-Thu)	9:00 AM - 2:30 PM	FAHR Circular, Feb 5, 2026
Public sector (Fri)	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	FAHR Circular, Feb 5, 2026
Overtime rate (day)	Basic wage + 25% minimum	Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Art. 19
Overtime rate (night)	Basic wage + 50% minimum	Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Art. 19
Expected dates	Feb 18-19 to Mar 19-20, 2026	Subject to moon sighting

Official Sources and References

Primary Legislation

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations
- Article 17: Working hours (8 hours/day, 48 hours/week)
- Article 17(4): Ramadan hours determined by Executive Regulations
- Article 19: Overtime compensation rates
- Source: UAE Legislation Portal
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 - Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
- Article 15(2): "The normal working hours shall be reduced by two hours during the holy month of Ramadan"
- Source: UAE Legislation Portal

Government Authorities

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- Official circulars on Ramadan working hours reduction
- Source: MOHRE Official Website
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR)
- Circular dated February 5, 2026 on Ramadan working hours for federal government sector (1446 AH)
- Source: FAHR Official Website
UAE Government Official Portal
- Working hours and overtime information
- Source: u.ae

Astronomical Calculations

Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST)
- Ramadan 2026 expected start date forecasts
Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD)
- Hijri to Gregorian date conversion

Note: Official Ramadan dates are subject to confirmation by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee.

Related Resources

Last updated: February 9, 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, consult with qualified legal professionals or contact MOHRE directly. Ramadan dates are subject to official confirmation by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee.