Ramadan Working Hours in the Saudi Arabia (2025)

As Ramadan 2025 approaches, Saudi Arabia has announced adjustments to working hours to accommodate those observing the fast. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has released updated regulations for both the public and private sectors. In contrast, the banking sector is expected to follow its usual reduced-hour schedule. 

These adjustments help employees balance their religious, personal, and professional responsibilities throughout the holy month. Employers should ensure compliance with official directives while maintaining operational efficiency.

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Public Sector Ramadan Working Hours in KSA

The HRSD has set official Ramadan working hours for public sector employees as:

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (five hours per day).

This reduction allows government employees to manage their work while fulfilling religious and personal obligations. Public sector institutions may adopt internal adjustments depending on operational needs, but all government offices must adhere to the five-hour workday policy unless otherwise stated by HRSD.

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Private Sector Ramadan Working Hours Under Saudi Labor Law

Saudi Labor Law mandates reduced working hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan, ensuring they can perform religious duties while maintaining productivity. The official limits are:

Maximum of six hours per day or 36 hours per week.

Employers in the private sector must comply with these regulations, and any overtime during Ramadan must be compensated as per labor laws. Non-Muslim employees may be required to follow their regular working hours, depending on company policies and industry demands. However, many companies voluntarily apply reduced hours across all employees to maintain uniformity and support workplace well-being.

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Banking Sector Ramadan Hours

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) traditionally reduces banking hours during Ramadan. While the official 2025 schedule has yet to be released, previous years suggest banks will likely operate from:

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Customers should check with their respective banks closer to Ramadan for confirmed service hours, especially in-branch visits. Many financial services may offer extended online banking and digital transaction support to accommodate changes in physical branch availability.

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Work Arrangements Across Different Workplace Models

Onsite Workplaces

Employees in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and essential services may experience rotational shifts instead of reduced hours to ensure uninterrupted operations. Employers should provide breaks for rest, prayer, and iftar, especially for frontline staff working extended hours. Shift-based flexibility can help maintain productivity while respecting employee well-being.

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Hybrid Workplaces

Companies with hybrid models can implement staggered start and end times or allow partial remote work for employees. Employers should focus on productivity-driven scheduling, ensuring meetings and critical tasks occur during peak energy hours, typically in the morning.

Remote Work

Remote work may be encouraged for employees who do not require a physical presence. Companies adopting remote work policies should focus on goal-oriented performance tracking rather than rigid work schedules. This ensures productivity while allowing employees to balance personal and religious commitments.

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Best Practices for Employers and Employees

Employers should ensure compliance with Saudi labor laws and provide a supportive work environment during Ramadan. This includes implementing fair workload distribution, flexible schedules, and reasonable meeting times.

Employees can optimize productivity by scheduling priority tasks earlier in the day, maintaining open communication with managers, and ensuring adequate rest and hydration during non-fasting hours.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan work-hour policies support employee well-being while ensuring business continuity. The public sector will operate under a five-hour workday, while private sector employees will follow a maximum six-hour workday as per labor regulations. The banking sector will likely adjust its working hours, with final schedules announced closer to Ramadan.

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