Qatar's Labour Law gives private sector employees 10 paid holiday days a year: 3 for Eid al-Fitr (expected from 9 March 2027), 3 for Eid al-Adha (expected from 16 May), 1 for National Day on 18 December, and 3 days chosen by the employer. National Sport Day falls on Tuesday 9 February 2027.
Qatar's private sector holidays are set by Article 78 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Here are the expected 2027 dates and what employers need to know.
Qatar public holidays 2027: full list
| Holiday | Expected date | Day | Days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Sport Day | 9 February (2nd Tuesday of February) | Tuesday | 1 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 9–11 March | Tuesday–Thursday | 3 |
| Eid al-Adha | 16–18 May | Sunday–Tuesday | 3 |
| Qatar National Day | 18 December | Saturday | 1 |
| Employer-chosen days | Set by each employer | – | 3 |
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.
Download the Qatar 2027 calendar (PDF) ↓
How Qatar's 10 holiday days work
The law sets 3 working days for each Eid and 1 for National Day. Each employer then chooses 3 more paid holiday days. For 2026, the Ministry of Labour declared National Sport Day an official private sector holiday, so check whether the same applies in 2027.
What Qatar employers must know
All holiday days are on full pay. If an employee works on a public holiday, they must get another day off and extra pay on top of their basic wage, under Article 75 of the Labour Law. Confirm the current rate with the Ministry of Labour before setting your policy.
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.
- Decide and announce your 3 employer-chosen holiday days at the start of the year.
Related: GCC public holidays 2027 · GCC leave law guide · Leave management software