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UAE Reveals Ramadan 2026 Work Hours for Public Sector: Here’s the Breakdown

Federal employees will work shorter days during the holy month, with added flexibility for remote work.

  • Publish date: since 5 hours Reading time: two min read
UAE Reveals Ramadan 2026 Work Hours for Public Sector: Here’s the Breakdown

If you work in the UAE public sector, here’s the update you’ve been waiting for: shorter workdays are officially in for Ramadan 2026.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has confirmed reduced working hours for federal ministries and entities during the holy month.

Here’s the Ramadan Work Schedule

From Monday to Thursday, working hours will run from 9am to 2.30pm.

On Fridays, employees will work from 9am to 12pm.

These timings apply unless the nature of the job requires a different schedule.

Compared to the usual eight-hour workday (and four and a half hours on Fridays), that’s a noticeable cut — and yes, your post-work iftar prep just got easier.

Flexible and Remote Options Available

There’s more.

Federal entities can either apply the approved flexible work regulations during Ramadan or allow employees to work remotely on Fridays.

However, remote work on Fridays is capped at 70 per cent of the total workforce, and must follow official guidelines.

So if you’re hoping for work-from-home Fridays, it’s possible — but not guaranteed for everyone.

When Does Ramadan 2026 Start?

Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, according to forecasts from the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre.

Experts say spotting the crescent moon on February 17 is either impossible or highly unlikely across the Arab and Islamic world. Since Islamic months last 29 or 30 days depending on moon sighting, Shaban is expected to complete 30 days this year.

That said, the final call will still come from the UAE’s official moon-sighting committee on the 29th day of Shaban.

A Quick Reminder on UAE Workweeks

The UAE federal government follows a four-and-a-half-day workweek, with Saturday and Sunday as the official weekend since 2022.

Most emirates follow this system. Sharjah, however, operates on a four-day workweek, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off for public sector employees.

With reduced hours now confirmed, federal employees can start planning their Ramadan routines accordingly.

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