Saudi 2026 public holidays: 7 Essential Dates & Quick Guide

Saudi 2026 public holidays are the key dates that shape work schedules, school calendars and everyday life for residents and visitors alike.

Saudi 2026 public holidays: Exact dates for Riyadh and Jeddah

The Saudi moon‑sighting committee announces the Islamic holidays each year. Based on the 2026 calendar released by the committee, the fixed and lunar‑based holidays are as follows:

• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1 January 2026
• Saudi National Day – Thursday, 23 September 2026
• Eid al‑Fitr – Expected Sunday 10 April 2026 to Tuesday 12 April 2026 (3 days)
• Eid al‑Adha – Expected Friday 17 June 2026 to Monday 20 June 2026 (4 days)
• Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid al‑Nabi) – Expected Wednesday 15 October 2026
• Optional Ramadan work‑day reductions – Many private firms observe reduced hours from Sunday 9 March 2026 to Tuesday 7 April 2026 (the holy month of Ramadan)

These dates are confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Interior moon‑sighting announcements made in late 2025.

Quick reference table – 2026 Saudi public holidays

How do Eid holidays affect office hours in Riyadh versus Jeddah?

Government offices, schools and many private companies follow a pattern set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The typical resumption schedule is:

• Riyadh office closures Eid 2026: After Eid al‑Fitr, offices reopen on the day following the last Eid day (i.e., Wednesday 13 April 2026). After Eid al‑Adha, they reopen two days after the final day (i.e., Wednesday 22 June 2026).
• Jeddah holiday schedule 2026: Authorities often add an extra day for each holiday. Thus, after Eid al‑Fitr the resumption is Thursday 14 April 2026, and after Eid al‑Adha it is Thursday 23 June 2026.

Private‑sector firms may adopt either schedule; multinational companies in Jeddah frequently follow the Riyadh pattern to align with headquarters, while local businesses often keep the extra day.

Sample office reopening calendar (2026)

Planning your travel and personal time around Saudi 2026 public holidays

For expatriates, aligning personal travel with the holiday calendar can save both time and money. Airlines often increase flight frequencies to and from Saudi Arabia in the days surrounding Eid, while hotel rates tend to rise during the peak days of New Year’s and National Day. Booking at least three weeks in advance usually secures the best rates.

Key tips:

• Check the Ministry of Interior website for any last‑minute moon‑sighting adjustments.
• Public transport runs on a reduced schedule during Eid; consider ride‑hailing apps for flexibility.
• Many schools close for the full Eid period, so families with children should plan vacations accordingly.

What are the current visa fees for obtaining a Saudi work permit in 2026?

The Ministry of Interior updated the work‑visa (Iqama) fee schedule in July 2026. The Saudi work visa fees 2026 are:

• First‑time issuance: SAR 2,000
• Renewal: SAR 1,500

Additional costs that applicants commonly encounter include:

• Medical examination: SAR 300‑500 (depending on provider)
• Insurance (required for Iqama): SAR 600‑900 per year
• Service centre processing fee (if using a PRO): SAR 150‑300

Payment is made through the Ministry of Interior portal or via authorized PRO offices.

How much does it cost to live in Riyadh compared to Jeddah in 2026?

According to Numbeo Saudi Arabia cost of living October 2026 data, Riyadh scores 78 and Jeddah 73 (New York = 100). This reflects a modestly higher overall expense in the capital when evaluating the Cost of living Riyadh vs Jeddah 2026 metrics.

Key monthly expense items for a single expatriate:

These figures exclude international school fees, which can add SAR 4,000‑8,000 per child per month.

What are the latest changes to Saudi labour law in 2026?

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a decree effective 1 January 2026 updating the Saudi labour law sick leave 2026 regulations:

• Mandatory 30‑day paid sick leave for every employee whose contract is signed on or after 1 Jan 2026. The leave accrues at the rate of 2.5 days per month and can be taken consecutively or intermittently.
• Employers must maintain a sick‑leave register and provide medical certification for absences exceeding three consecutive days.
• For contracts signed before 1 Jan 2026, the previous entitlement of 15 days paid sick leave remains unchanged unless the contract is renewed after the cutoff date, in which case the new 30‑day rule applies.

Other minor updates include a clarification on overtime caps (maximum 12 hours per week) and a requirement that end‑of‑service gratuity be calculated on the last drawn basic salary rather than the average of the last three months.

How can I convert my foreign driving licence to a Saudi licence in 2026?

The Saudi driving licence conversion 2026 process allows holders of a valid foreign licence to obtain a Saudi licence within 30 days of arrival. The steps are:

1. Visit the Traffic Department (Moroor) with your original licence, a certified Arabic translation, passport copy, residency permit (Iqama), and two passport‑size photos.
2. Pay the conversion fee of SAR 300.
3. If your foreign licence was issued before 2015, you must pass the computerized theory test (20 questions, passing score 70 %). Licences issued 2015 or later are exempt from the test.
4. Upon passing (if required), you receive a temporary Saudi licence; the permanent card is mailed to your registered address within 5‑7 working days.

All steps can be initiated online via the Ministry of Interior traffic services portal, but the final photo capture and fee payment must be done in person.

What are the typical salary ranges for expatriates in Saudi Arabia in 2026?

Data from the GulfTalent salary survey 2026 and general Saudi expatriate salary 2026 reports shows the following monthly base‑salary bands for mid‑level professionals:

• Riyadh: SAR 12,000 – SAR 20,000 (average SAR 16,000)
• Jeddah: SAR 10,000 – SAR 18,000 (average SAR 14,000)

Sector‑specific notes:

• Oil & gas: Riyadh averages SAR 19,000; Jeddah SAR 16,500.
• Finance & banking: Riyadh SAR 17,500; Jeddah SAR 15,200.
• Information Technology: Riyadh SAR 16,200; Jeddah SAR 14,000.
• Healthcare: Riyadh SAR 15,000; Jeddah SAR 13,200.

These figures exclude housing, transport and education allowances, which are often added as separate benefits.

Which banks offer the lowest remittance fees for sending money from Saudi Arabia in 2026?

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) reported in its Saudi remittance fees 2026 survey that the average fee for outward remittances is 0.5 % of the transferred amount, with a minimum charge of SAR 25 per transaction.

Based on the SAMA table, the banks that consistently sit at the low‑end of the fee spectrum are:

• Al Rajhi Bank – 0.45 % (min SAR 22)
• National Commercial Bank (NCB) – 0.46 % (min SAR 23)
• Riyad Bank – 0.48 % (min SAR 24)
• Banque Saudi Fransi – 0.49 % (min SAR 25)

Tips to reduce costs:

• Use the bank’s online or mobile app; many waive the minimum fee for transfers above SAR 5,000.
• Choose corridors with high competition (e.g., SAR → PHP, SAR → BDT) where fees can drop to 0.3 %.
• Consider using licensed exchange houses affiliated with the banks for cash pick‑up; they often match the bank’s rate but may have lower flat fees.

For the full fee schedule, see the SAMA remittance fees report 2026.

Quick comparison table – Holidays, salaries, rent, sick‑leave, and remittance fees

Key takeaways for expats planning 2026 in Saudi Arabia

• All major holidays – New Year’s, Eid al‑Fitr, Eid al‑Adha, Prophet’s Birthday, National Day – are fixed for 2026; verify any lunar adjustments a week before.
• Riyadh resumes work one day after Eid al‑Fitr and two days after Eid al‑Adha, while Jeddah typically adds an extra day.
• Living costs in Riyadh are roughly SAR 380 higher per month than in Jeddah; salary differentials generally offset this gap.
• New labour‑law provisions grant 30 days paid sick leave for contracts signed after 1 Jan 2026.
• For cheapest overseas transfers, choose Al Rajhi Bank or NCB and use their digital platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Photos: B.alotaby / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Thesadcactus / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0