Working Hours in the UAE
The legal working week and day in the UAE, how overtime is paid, which days are the weekend, normal office hours and the paid leave you are owed.
Working week in the UAE
48 hoursThe Labour Law sets 48 hours a week for the private sector. During Ramadan the working day is cut by 2 hours.
Working day in the UAE
8 hoursThe normal day is 8 hours, and no more than 2 hours of overtime a day. A break of at least an hour is due after 5 hours.
Overtime pay in the UAE
1.25×Overtime is paid at 25% extra, and 50% between 10pm and 4am. Work on the weekly rest day earns a day off in lieu or 50% extra.
Weekend days in the UAE
Sat–SunSince 2022 federal government offices and schools have a Saturday–Sunday weekend and work a half day on Friday. Private companies choose their own weekend, and most follow Saturday–Sunday; Sharjah’s government has a three-day Friday–Sunday weekend.
Business hours in the UAE
9am–6pmPrivate offices usually work 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Federal government offices work 7:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am to 12pm on Friday.
Annual leave in the UAE
30 daysEmployees get 30 days of paid annual leave a year after a year of service, and 2 days a month between 6 and 12 months.
Checked 24 October 2026 against national labour laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you. Recent changes checked against: MOHRE: Shorter private sector working hours in Ramadan 2026.
Working days in the UAE 2026
Business days and working hours by month, after weekends and holidays.
Minimum wage in the UAE
The hourly and monthly minimum, in local money and US dollars.
UAE public holidays 2026
Every holiday with its date and long weekends.
Working hours in the UAE: questions and answers
How many hours is the working week in the UAE?
The Labour Law sets 48 hours a week for the private sector. During Ramadan the working day is cut by 2 hours.
How many hours a day can you work in the UAE?
The normal day is 8 hours, and no more than 2 hours of overtime a day. A break of at least an hour is due after 5 hours.
How is overtime paid in the UAE?
Overtime is paid at 25% extra, and 50% between 10pm and 4am. Work on the weekly rest day earns a day off in lieu or 50% extra.
Which days are the weekend in the UAE?
Since 2022 federal government offices and schools have a Saturday–Sunday weekend and work a half day on Friday. Private companies choose their own weekend, and most follow Saturday–Sunday; Sharjah’s government has a three-day Friday–Sunday weekend.
What are normal business hours in the UAE?
Private offices usually work 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Federal government offices work 7:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am to 12pm on Friday.
How many days of paid leave do you get in the UAE?
Employees get 30 days of paid annual leave a year after a year of service, and 2 days a month between 6 and 12 months.
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