Muslim woman working on laptop in office during Ramadan reflecting Ramadan working hours UAE adjustments

UAE Ramadan Working Hours: Who Gets Less Time Off & How Much

Updated on May 21, 2026February 12, 2026

In the UAE, Ramadan changes the way people live their daily lives, even their work schedules. This guide makes it clear what your employer is legally required to do, whether your hours will be cut, your pay will change, or both.

What Happens to Work Hours During Ramadan?

In the UAE during Ramadan:

Under UAE Labor Law, private sector workers’ hours are cut by two hours a day.
Public sector workers: Every year, the federal and local governments announce the exact times for Ramadan (usually shorter days).
The cut affects all workers, whether they are Muslim or not.

All emirates must follow the rule, but the schedules of different governments may be different.

A. Basic Rules For Ramadan Working Hours UAE

1.What is the rule about working fewer hours?

During Ramadan, UAE Labor Law says that private sector workers’ normal work hours are cut by two hours a day. This is true for everyone, no matter what their religion is.

2. Is it the same for the public and private sectors?

No. In the private sector, it’s required by law to cut work hours by two hours a day. Every year, the federal and emirate-level governments make official announcements about the Ramadan schedule. These hours are usually shorter than those in the private sector.

3. Is it only for Muslims?

No. All employees, no matter what religion they are, will have fewer hours.

4. Does it work in all emirates?

Yes. The Labour Law applies to all of the UAE’s mainland. But: Different government departments may have different announced times.

B. Is This Relevant To Me?

1. Private Sector (UAE Mainland)

If your business is registered with MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation),

You need to cut your daily hours by two.
The pay stays the same.
Employers can change the hours they work, like changing 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For example, if you usually work 9 hours a day with a 1-hour break, your total hours during Ramadan are cut by 2 hours.

2. Workers in the public sector

Every year, the federal and local governments announce the official times for Ramadan. Normal hours for the public sector are:

Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday schedules that are shorter

Before Ramadan starts, the exact times are made public.

3. Workers in the Free Zone

Free zones usually follow the rules of UAE Labor Law, but they might:

Send out their own Ramadan circular
Make slightly different schedules known

Action step: Look at the official website or HR circular of your free zone authority.

4. DIFC and ADGM (Financial Free Zones)

DIFC and ADGM have their own rules about hiring people. They usually give:

Shorter work hours during Ramadan
Official instructions that come out before the month starts

If you work in DIFC or ADGM, please check:

Changes to DIFC Employment Law
ADGM Employment Regulations news

5. Nannies, drivers, and other household staff who work in the home

There are different rules for domestic workers. The general Labour Law’s 2-hour rule doesn’t always apply in the same way, but employers should:

Respect humane working conditions
Don’t work too many hours.
Give the right amount of rest

Many families change their hours during Ramadan on their own.

6. People who work shifts (in retail, security, healthcare, and hospitality)

Different types of work shift-based sectors. Employers usually do not cut back on the hours their businesses are open.

Make shifts shorter for each person
Change the rosters
Change the coverage

Stores and hotels may stay open later in the evening, closer to iftar or suhoor.

7. Employees who work part-time or by the hour

Usually, Ramadan reduction is used in a proportional way. If you already work fewer hours:

Employers usually change your schedule based on how you normally work.

8. Workers who work from home or in a hybrid setting

Yes, the cut still applies. But employers can change the hours of work to earlier. Some businesses keep the same overall structure but change when meetings happen. The 2-hour rule still applies even if you’re working from home.