National Holidays in Saudi Arabia (What Employers Need To Know)
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National Holidays in Saudi Arabia (What Employers Need To Know)
Managing a business and its workforce in Saudi comes with several challenges, particularly around public holidays. For example, how can employers balance operational requirements with their legal responsibilities to employees during national holidays? What are the employer's options if an employee takes unapproved leave following a public holiday? How should employers calculate any holiday pay due to employees? In Saudi Arabia, businesses must also comply with the regulations surrounding national holidays. This article outlines key considerations for employers regarding national holidays in Saudi Arabia.
Cercli’s global HR system supports businesses in understanding and managing national holiday compliance in Saudi Arabia. With straightforward dashboards and automation features, our platform’s time off calendar automatically reflects public holidays in each country, ensuring employees can plan their leave without unintentionally using vacation days on holidays.
Official National Holidays in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia observes several national and religious holidays throughout the year, each with historical, cultural or spiritual significance. These holidays are recognised across the public, private and non-profit sectors, marking key moments in the Kingdom’s history and the Islamic calendar.
Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al-Fitr, observed in Saudi Arabia and globally, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a time for prayer, family gatherings and charitable giving. The holiday begins on the 29th day of Ramadan and lasts for four days, with the exact dates confirmed by the sighting of the moon. Celebrations often include shared meals, communal prayers and support for those in need.
This year, Eid Al-Fitr started on Monday, the 31st of March, 2025 and ended on Thursday, the 3rd of April, 2025.
Eid Al-Adha
Eid Al-Adha, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. The holiday is observed from the ninth day of the Dhu al-Hijjah, known as Arafat Day, and lasts for four days.
In Saudi Arabia, it coincides with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place annually in Makkah. It is marked by family gatherings, special meals and the distribution of meat and charitable donations to those in need.
This year, Eid Al-Adha started on Friday, the 6th of June, 2025 to Sunday, the 8th of June, 2025.
Saudi National Day
Saudi National Day, observed on 23rd September, marks the unification of the Kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud. It is a public holiday that commemorates this key milestone in the country’s modern history.
Employees across the Kingdom are entitled to a day off, and if the date falls on a weekend, labour law provides for an alternative day off. The day also celebrates the Kingdom’s national identity and cultural heritage.
This year, Saudi National Day will be on Tuesday, the 23rd of September, 2025.
Saudi Founding Day
Saudi Arabia also commemorates Founding Day on 22nd February each year. This day recognises the founding of the first Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud. It was formally declared a national holiday through a royal decree and is observed across all sectors.
In contrast to National Day, which marks the country's unification, Founding Day commemorates the early foundations of the Saudi state, dating back to 1744. It recognises the contributions of early leaders and communities in shaping the nation’s early governance.
This year, the Saudi Founding Day holiday was on Saturday, the 22nd of February, 2025.
Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia: Honouring Faith, Culture and National Identity
These holidays reflect the country’s religious traditions and historical heritage. They provide opportunities for rest, cultural observance and shared reflection.
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Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the local knowledge and practical processes that MENA businesses need to support growth and manage remote teams effectively. Explore how our HR platform meets the needs of companies operating in the Middle East. Arrange a demonstration today to speak with our team about our global HR system.
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Observing National Holidays in Saudi Arabia
Public holidays in Saudi Arabia are observed in accordance with clear labour law guidelines, ensuring fair treatment for both employers and employees. These holidays are not only occasions for celebration but are also formally recognised within employment terms, particularly concerning leave and compensation.
Weekend in Saudi Arabia
Since 23 June 2013, the official weekend in Saudi Arabia has been Friday and Saturday, following a directive issued by the late King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This change brought the Kingdom’s working week into closer alignment with global business practices, especially in banking and trade.
What Happens When Holidays Overlap with Other Leave Types?
Saudi labour law outlines entitlements when holidays overlap with other types of leave:
- Weekly Rest Days: If a public holiday overlaps with a weekly rest day, the employee is entitled to a substitute day off, either before or after the original holiday.
- Annual Leave: If a holiday falls during an employee’s annual leave, the leave period will be extended by the number of holiday days that coincide.
- Sick Leave: When a holiday occurs during sick leave, the employee is entitled to full wages for those days. These days do not count against the paid sick leave entitlement.
- National Day and Eid Holidays: If Saudi National Day falls within the Eid period, no additional day is granted. The holiday is considered to have been observed as part of the Eid celebration.
Considerations for HR and Workforce Planning
For HR professionals, understanding the structure of public holidays in Saudi Arabia is essential to ensure:
- Legal Compliance: Organisations must comply with statutory requirements for leave and pay.
- Effective Workforce Planning: Accurate scheduling helps maintain continuity, particularly in distributed teams.
- Clear Internal Communication: Providing early and clear updates regarding entitlements and adjustments reduces confusion and fosters transparency.
Balancing Work Schedules with National Holidays
Planning for national holidays supports operational continuity and reinforces respect for employees’ time and cultural values.
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How to Calculate National Holiday Pay in Saudi Arabia
Under Saudi labour law, national and religious holidays are recognised as official paid days off for employees. These include:
- Eid Al-Fitr
- Eid Al-Adha
- Saudi National Day
- Saudi Founding Day
When employees are required to work on any of these public holidays, they are entitled to additional compensation, as outlined in the law.
Standard Holiday Pay Entitlement
If an employee does not work on a national holiday, they receive their full daily wage as part of their salary. No additional calculation is required, as the holiday is counted as a paid day off.
Working on a National Holiday
The overtime provisions in Saudi labour law require compensation for employees who work on a public holiday.
This means:
- They would receive their standard daily wage, plus
- An additional SAR 75 per hour (150% of SAR 50) for each hour worked during the holiday.
This ensures employees are fairly compensated for working during officially recognised public holidays.
Clarifications for Employers
Employers should ensure these calculations are applied accurately and transparently. Accurate payroll practices help maintain compliance with Saudi labour law and support fair treatment across the workforce. It is also essential to communicate clearly with employees about how their holiday pay is calculated, particularly when scheduling work during public holidays.
Meeting the HR Needs of Growing MENA-Based Teams
Cercli supports HR operations in line with the UAE’s focus on efficient and business-friendly practices. Cercli provides a platform designed for MENA businesses, bringing workforce management functions together in one place. Manage your team, whether local or international, with the ability to process payments in more than 150 countries. The platform supports multi-currency payroll, leave tracking, employee onboarding, and local compliance requirements, all tailored to the specific requirements of the MENA region.
Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the local knowledge and practical processes that MENA businesses need to support growth and manage remote teams effectively. Explore how our HR platform meets the needs of companies operating in the Middle East. Arrange a demonstration today to speak with our team about our international HR system.
The Role of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Enforcing Employee Rights
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) plays a central role in regulating and safeguarding employee rights across Saudi Arabia. It sets out the legal framework governing employment relationships, ensuring that employment practices remain fair for all parties:
- Lawful
- Consistent
- Equitable
Salary Payments
One of the MHRSD’s key responsibilities is overseeing the timely and accurate payment of salaries. Through the Wages Protection System (WPS), the Ministry monitors private-sector payrolls to ensure employees are paid in line with their contracts.
Delays or inconsistencies in wage payments can trigger investigations and, where necessary, legal action against employers who fail to comply.
Overtime Compensation
The MHRSD also provides clear guidelines on overtime. Under Saudi labour law, any work performed outside of standard working hours must be compensated at a rate of 150% of the employee’s basic hourly wage. This applies to both regular workdays and official holidays when employees are required to work.
Employers are expected to maintain accurate records of working hours and ensure that overtime is accurately calculated and paid according to legal requirements. Failure to do so can result in penalties or disputes brought before the Labour Office.
Public Holidays and Leave Entitlements
In addition to salary and overtime enforcement, the MHRSD outlines entitlements for:
- Public holidays
- Annual leave
- Sick leave
- Other forms of authorised absence
Employees are entitled to days off during specific national holidays, including:
- Eid Al-Fitr
- Eid Al-Adha
- Saudi National Day
- Founding Day
Where these holidays overlap with other types of leave or rest days, the Ministry provides guidance on compensation or adjustments to leave entitlements.
Supporting Compliance
By setting and enforcing these standards, the MHRSD helps create a fair and structured working environment. It ensures employees receive their statutory rights while also providing employers with a clear framework for workforce management.
Book a Demonstration to Speak with Our Team about Our Global HR System
Cercli supports HR operations in line with the UAE’s focus on efficient and business-friendly practices. Cercli provides a platform designed for MENA businesses, bringing workforce management functions together in one place. Manage your team, whether local or international, with the ability to process payments in more than 150 countries. The platform supports multi-currency payroll, leave tracking, employee onboarding, and local compliance requirements, all tailored to the specific requirements of the MENA region.
Whether you're managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across multiple countries, Cercli provides the local knowledge and practical processes that MENA businesses need to support growth and manage remote teams effectively. Explore how our HR platform meets the needs of companies operating in the Middle East. Arrange a demonstration today to speak with our team about our global HR system.
