UAE announces official Ramadan 2026 working hours for public sector
Shorter daily schedules confirmed for ministries and federal entities
ABU DHABI – The UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced the official working hours for ministries and federal entities during Ramadan 2026, setting reduced schedules and confirming that flexible work arrangements may continue under approved regulations.
The update applies to federal government employees across the country. Authorities have also outlined specific provisions for remote work on Fridays.
الهيئة الاتحادية للموارد البشرية الحكومية تعلن ساعات العمل الرسمية في الحكومة الاتحادية خلال شهر رمضان المبارك. pic.twitter.com/BtbmcBsbMA
— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) February 11, 2026
The move aligns with the UAE’s established practice of shortening working hours during the holy month, while maintaining operational continuity across public sector departments. The exact start date of Ramadan will be confirmed by the official moon-sighting committees closer to the time.
Official timings
According to FAHR, federal government employees will work from 9am to 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday during Ramadan. On Fridays, working hours will run from 9am to noon, except for employees whose job nature requires different schedules.
Authorities clarified that these timings apply to ministries and federal entities, while roles requiring shift-based or continuous operational coverage may follow separate duty rosters. Entities retain the authority to adjust specific employee schedules where essential services are involved.
The announcement provides early clarity for government departments planning Ramadan rosters, staffing levels and service windows. Reduced hours are a standard feature of the UAE’s Ramadan framework for the public sector.
Flexible options
FAHR stated that approved flexible working regulations may continue throughout Ramadan, provided employees complete the required daily working hours within the reduced schedule. Ministries and federal entities are permitted to apply internal flexibility systems already recognised under HR regulations.
In addition, entities may allow employees to work remotely on Fridays, subject to operational needs and oversight controls. Remote work on Fridays must not exceed 70 per cent of the entity’s total workforce. The cap is designed to balance flexibility with service delivery requirements.
Each entity is expected to implement these options in line with approved governance rules and internal policies. The authority emphasised that flexibility must remain within the official framework and cannot reduce total mandated hours beyond the Ramadan adjustment.
Ramadan 2026
Ramadan 2026 in the UAE is most likely expected to begin around February 19, according to projections by the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre. Astronomical calculations indicate that crescent sighting on February 17 is either impossible or highly improbable across the Arab and Islamic world.
Based on these projections, Shaban is expected to complete 30 days, with Ramadan likely to begin the following day. However, the official start date will be determined only after the moon-sighting committees convene on the 29th day of Shaban and issue a formal announcement.
Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days depending on verified crescent sightings, and official religious authorities make the final determination each year.
Outside Ramadan, the UAE federal government follows a four-and-a-half-day work week, with employees typically working eight hours from Monday to Thursday and four and a half hours on Friday. Since January 2022, Saturday and Sunday have been designated as the official weekend for the federal sector. Most emirates follow this model, while Sharjah applies a four-day public sector work week with a Friday to Sunday weekend.