Ramadan working hours: how the day changes for your team

Year	Ramadan (expected)	Eid al-Fitr
2026	about 18 February to 19 March	Friday 20 March
2027	about 8 February to 8 March	Tuesday 9 March
2028	about 28 January to 26 February	Saturday 26 February

Ramadan starts with the sighting of the new moon, so the first day can differ by a day between countries. It lasts 29 or 30 days.

Shorter days

Some countries shorten the working day by law during Ramadan. In the UAE, private-sector hours are cut by two hours a day. In Saudi Arabia, Muslim employees in the private sector work up to six hours a day. Public offices and banks often shorten their hours too, and start later. Rules differ by country and change, so check the current rules for the place you work with.

Scheduling meetings

• Earlier is easier. Energy is usually highest in the morning, so propose the first half of the working day.
• Avoid the hour before sunset. It is when people are hungriest and often travelling home to break the fast. Sunset time depends on the place and the season.
• Keep late meetings short. Evenings are for family, iftar and, for many, night prayers.
• Don't assume everyone fasts, and don't make anyone explain. Offering an earlier time works for everyone.

Deadlines and launches

Plan big launches and deadlines before Ramadan, or after Eid al-Fitr, when the break often lasts several days. Expect slower replies in the last ten days of Ramadan, when many people take leave, and the days around Eid. For the dates after Ramadan, see Eid dates 2027.

A nice gesture

A short message at the start of the month goes a long way. You don't need to say much: "Ramadan Mubarak" or "Ramadan Kareem" is enough.

See it for your team

Open the places you work with and look at the calendar: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and the UK in Ramadan 2027, or Indonesia, Türkiye and Poland: sunset and working hours side by side. Each holiday has a short card on what it is about and what you could say.