In 2027, Eid al-Fitr is expected on 9 March and Eid al-Adha on 16 May across the GCC, subject to moon sightings. Private sector holiday totals range from 10 days in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to about 15 in Bahrain, and each country has its own national day and its own rules for paying staff who work on a holiday.
If you employ people in more than one GCC country, each one has its own holiday list, its own national day and its own rules for holiday pay. This page compares all six for 2027. Click a country for its full list.
GCC public holidays 2027 at a glance
| Country | Expected holiday days in 2027 | If staff work on a holiday |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 12 (13) | Substitute day off, or pay plus at least 50% of basic |
| Saudi Arabia | 10 | Overtime: hourly wage plus 50% of basic |
| Qatar | 10 (+ Sport Day) | Another day off plus extra pay |
| Bahrain | About 15 | 150% of wage, or substitute leave |
| Oman | About 14 (15) | Extra pay or paid rest days |
| Kuwait | About 13 | Double pay plus an extra day off |
Expected Islamic holiday dates in 2027
| Islamic date | Expected 2027 date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Isra and Mi'raj | 5 January | Tuesday |
| Ramadan begins | 8 February | Monday |
| Eid al-Fitr | 9 March | Tuesday |
| Arafat Day | 15 May | Saturday |
| Eid al-Adha | 16 May | Sunday |
| Hijri New Year (1449) | 6 June | Sunday |
| Prophet's Birthday | 14 August | Saturday |
Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting and can move by a day. Dates on this page are expected, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar. We will update this page as soon as official dates are announced.
GCC national days in 2027
| National day | 2027 date |
|---|---|
| Saudi Founding Day | 22 February |
| Kuwait National Day and Liberation Day | 25–26 February |
| Saudi National Day | 23 September |
| Oman National Day | 18–19 November (may move) |
| UAE Eid Al Etihad | 2–3 December |
| Bahrain National Day | 16–17 December |
| Qatar National Day | 18 December |
What multi-country employers should plan for
- Different totals: a team in Bahrain gets about 5 more holiday days than one in Saudi Arabia.
- Different pay rules: working on a holiday costs anything from an extra 50% to double pay, depending on the country.
- Different announcement timing: Eid dates are confirmed a few days before, and Oman and the UAE may move some holidays next to the weekend.
- One system: keep a separate holiday calendar per country in your HR system so leave balances, attendance and payroll stay correct.
2027 planning checklist for HR and payroll
- Load the 2027 holiday calendar into your HR and payroll system now, and update it when official dates are announced.
- Set your policy for staff who must work on holidays, and agree in writing whether they get pay or a day off.
- Plan payroll cut-offs around Eid, since banks and teams may be closed.
- Ask employees to book leave around long weekends early, so cover is planned.
Related: GCC public holidays 2027 · Multi-entity payroll · GCC leave law guide · Leave management software