Ramadan 2026 Working Hours Qatar Private & Public Sector

Ramadan 2026 working hours in Qatar are capped at 36 hours per week and 6 hours per day for private sector employees. The Ministry of Labour announced reduced working hours on February 14, 2026, in accordance with Qatar Labour Law Article 73. Government sector employees work 5 hours daily during Ramadan 2026.

Ramadan is expected to begin Wednesday, February 18, 2026, pending official moon sighting confirmation.

Official Working Hours Qatar During Ramadan 2026

Official Working Hours During Ramadan 2026
Private and Public Sector

Private Sector Working Hours

Private sector employees in Qatar work maximum 36 hours per week and 6 hours daily during Ramadan 2026. The Ministry of Labour’s announcement applies to all private companies. Employers must comply with these caps or face penalties for labour law violations.

Common private sector schedules include:

8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (6 hours)
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (6 hours)
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (6 hours)

The reduction in working hours during Ramadan applies to all employees regardless of religion or nationality. This distinguishes Qatar from some GCC countries that limit reductions to Muslim employees only.

See the Final Notifications and hours schedules from your HR departments.

Government Sector Working Hours

Government sector employees work 5 hours daily during Ramadan 2026. Standard government office hours run 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Friday working hours are 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Government employees receive full salaries despite reduced Ramadan working hours.

Essential Services Schedules

Essential service employees maintain 24-hour operations through shift rotations.

Ministry of Interior

Ministry of Interior (MOI) services continue 24 hours daily during Ramadan. Police, traffic department, civil defence, and emergency services maintain full operational capacity through shift rotations. Security cannot be compromised, so MOI personnel work regular shifts with possible schedule adjustments.

MOI administrative offices serving the public typically operate from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM during Ramadan. Services like Qatar ID renewal, vehicle registration, and licensing follow reduced hours. Online services through MOI apps remain available 24 hours without interruption.

Traffic police increase patrols during iftar time (30 minutes before sunset). Accident rates historically spike as fasting drivers rush home, so MOI deploys extra officers during this critical period. Stricter enforcement of speed limits and distracted driving rules protects public safety.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) emergency services operate 24 hours during Ramadan. Emergency rooms, intensive care units, ambulance services, and critical care departments maintain full staffing through shift rotations. Healthcare cannot pause for Ramadan, so essential medical personnel work regular hours with schedule flexibility where possible.

Public Transport working hours in Ramadan

Doha Metro extends operating hours during Ramadan to accommodate changed travel patterns. Metro services run from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily during the holy month. The extended evening hours serve commuters attending taraweeh prayers, family gatherings, and late-night shopping.

Karwa public buses adjust routes and frequencies for Ramadan. Morning buses maintain regular schedules for reduced work hours. Evening buses increase frequency from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, matching the surge in post-iftar activity. See how to get your Karwa Card or how to recharge karwa card.

Taxi services like Karwa experience peak demand in two daily windows. The first peak occurs 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM as people rush home for iftar. The second peak runs 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM as residents visit family, attend prayers, or go shopping. See how to book the Robo Taxi or Karwa Taxi.

Salary During Ramadan – Full Pay Guarantee

Employees receive full salaries during Ramadan despite reduced working hours in Qatar. Qatar Labour Law guarantees no salary reduction when Ramadan working hours decrease from standard 8-hour days to 6-hour days (private sector) or 5-hour days (government sector).

Overtime rules during Ramadan:

Work beyond 6 hours daily (private) or 5 hours daily (government) counts as overtime
Overtime pay rates remain standard: 125% of regular hourly wage for weekday overtime
Overtime pay increases to 150% for Friday work or public holidays

Leave entitlements during Ramadan:

Annual leave accrual continues normally
Employees taking sick leave during Ramadan follow standard sick leave policies
Taking annual leave during Ramadan does not affect Eid Al-Fitr holiday entitlement

Employer Penalties for Violations

Employers violating Ramadan working hour regulations face penalties under Qatar Labour Law. The Ministry of Labour enforces compliance through inspections and employee complaints.

Violation penalties include:

Fines ranging from QAR 2,000 to QAR 6,000 per violation
Additional QAR 500 fine for each employee affected
Potential business license suspension for repeat violations
Legal liability for employee claims

How to report violations: Employees can file complaints through the Ministry of Labour’s online portal or by visiting any labour department office. The complaint process protects employee identity and prevents retaliation.

Working Hours In Ramadan 2026 Gulf Region

GCC countries implement varied Ramadan working hour policies. The table below compares official Ramadan timings across Gulf Cooperation Council nations for 2026.

Country	Daily Max	Weekly Max	Applies To
Qatar	6 hours	36 hours	All employees
Saudi Arabia	6 hours	36 hours	Muslim employees only
UAE	2h reduction	Varies	All employees (onshore)
Kuwait	Varies	36 hours	All employees
Bahrain	6 hours	36 hours	Muslim employees only
Oman	6 hours	30 hours	Muslim employees only

UAE has jurisdiction-specific rules:

Onshore UAE: 2-hour daily reduction for all employees
ADGM: 25% reduction for Muslim employees (no salary reduction)
DIFC: Maximum 6 hours daily for Muslim employees (full pay maintained)

Qatar’s universal application of reduced Ramadan working hours to all employees differs from regional neighbors who limit reductions to Muslim workers only.

Ramadan 2026 Dates & Calendar Qatar

The Qatar Calendar House predicts Ramadan 2026 begins Wednesday, February 18, 2026, based on astronomical calculations. The Ramadan crescent appears Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 3:02 PM Doha time. Official confirmation depends on the Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Key Dates:

Ramadan Start: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (or Thursday, February 19)
Last 10 Nights Begin: Tuesday, March 11, 2026
Eid Al-Fitr Expected: Thursday, March 19 or Friday, March 20, 2026
Fasting Duration: 12 hours 43 minutes (Day 1) to 13 hours 32 minutes (Day 30)

Eid Al-Fitr will be a public holiday in Qatar, see the complete list for Public Holidays in Qatar 2026

Ramadan 2026 Prayer Timetable (Doha)

30-Day Scenario (Starting Feb 18):

Week	Dates	Suhoor Ends (Fajr)	Iftar Begins (Maghrib)	Duration
Week 1	Feb 18-24	04:54 – 04:48 AM	05:37 – 05:41 PM	12h 43m – 12h 53m
Week 2	Feb 25 – Mar 3	04:47 – 04:41 AM	05:42 – 05:45 PM	12h 55m – 13h 04m
Week 3	Mar 4-10	04:40 – 04:33 AM	05:46 – 05:50 PM	13h 06m – 13h 17m
Week 4	Mar 11-17	04:32 – 04:26 AM	05:50 – 05:54 PM	13h 18m – 13h 28m
Final Days	Mar 18-19	04:24 – 04:23 AM	05:54 – 05:55 PM	13h 30m – 13h 32m

For complete daily timetables, check Qatar Ministry of Awqaf official prayer times.

Flexible Working Arrangements

Flexible working arrangements allow employees to adjust start and end times within the 6-hour daily requirement. Employers may offer flexibility for employees to begin work between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM, completing 6 hours. Managers must approve flexible arrangements to ensure operational coverage.

Common flexible arrangements include:

Staggered start times (teams start at different hours)
Split shifts (morning block, break, evening block for retail)
Hybrid schedules (office days combined with remote work days)
Compressed schedules (36 weekly hours across 5 days instead of 6)

Why flexibility matters during Ramadan: Ramadan office hours and flexible timing accommodate five daily prayers at specific times. Energy levels decline from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM as dehydration accumulates. Flexible schedules let employees schedule demanding tasks during high-energy morning hours.

Remote Work Policy

Qatar government sector allows up to 30% of employees to work remotely on Fridays during Ramadan. Priority for remote work goes to Qatari mothers and persons with disabilities. Private sector remote work policies vary by company, as Qatar Labour Law does not mandate private employer remote work arrangements.

Remote work maintains the same hour requirements (6 hours private, 5 hours government). Employees working from home must complete assigned tasks and remain available during core business hours.

Workplace Responsibilities During Ramadan

Employee Responsibilities

Employees must adhere to announced Ramadan schedules and maintain work quality despite reduced hours. Coordinate flexible arrangements with managers in advance. Respect colleagues who may not be fasting by avoiding assumptions or pressure about religious observance.

Key employee actions:

Arrive punctually (more critical with reduced hours)
Plan strategic work (complex tasks during morning, routine work in afternoon)
Use break times appropriately for prayer without extending work hours
Communicate proactively about schedule conflicts
Maintain professional output within shortened timeframe

Manager Responsibilities

Managers must implement Qatar Labour Law requirements consistently across teams. The 36-hour weekly cap and 6-hour daily maximum apply without exception. Managers cannot pressure employees to work beyond legal limits.

Manager priorities include:

Ensure equal treatment regardless of employee religion or fasting status
Plan coverage for essential functions through staffing rotation
Adjust workload expectations realistically for reduced hours
Schedule important meetings during morning hours (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
Monitor overtime to prevent law violations

What Not to Do During Ramadan in Qatar

Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during fasting hours is prohibited by law in Qatar. This ban applies to all people regardless of religion or nationality. The prohibition runs from Fajr (dawn) until Maghrib (sunset). Violators face fines up to QAR 3,000.

Behaviors to avoid during Ramadan:

Playing loud music in public spaces
Public displays of affection (stricter enforcement)
Wearing revealing clothing (dress modestly)
Consuming alcohol in public (intensified enforcement)
Wasting food or discarding edible items
Disrespecting fasting observers through insensitive actions
Loud vehicle entertainment near mosques during prayer times

Hotels and malls provide screened dining areas where non-fasting guests can eat during daylight hours. These designated sections respect both fasting observers and those who need daytime meals.

Driving caution: The 30 minutes before iftar sees elevated accident risk. Maintain safe speeds and anticipate less alert drivers rushing home.

Ramadan Customs and Workplace Etiquette

Ramadan transforms daily rhythms across Qatar through religious observance and cultural traditions. Understanding these customs creates respectful workplace environments.

Key workplace practices:

Schedule meetings between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM when energy peaks
Avoid major deadline requests for late afternoon delivery
Respect prayer times (Dhuhr 11:50 AM, Asr 3:10 PM, Maghrib 5:40 PM)
Use asynchronous communication (email, recorded updates) to preserve energy
Minimize non-essential meetings during Ramadan timings

Cultural traditions include:

Ramadan cannon fires daily at iftar time (heritage practice)
Garangao celebrated mid-Ramadan (children collect treats from neighbors)
Taraweeh prayers occur nightly after Isha prayer (special Ramadan worship)
Community iftars bring families, colleagues, and neighbors together
Increased charity through Zakat and food distribution to workers

Breaking the fast follows Islamic tradition. Dates and water come first, followed by Maghrib prayer, then a full iftar meal. This sequence provides quick energy while preventing digestive stress.

Best Iftar & Suhoor Places in Qatar During Ramadan 2026

Top Ramadan Tents

Luxury hotel Ramadan tents offer traditional Arabian hospitality with premium dining. These venues operate exclusively during Ramadan, creating once-yearly destinations.

Recommended Ramadan tents:

The Ritz-Carlton Doha – Qatari, Lebanese, and international cuisine. Capacity 500 guests. Live oud music. Advance booking essential.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha – International buffet with 25+ Arabic desserts. Beachfront location. Tableside chef preparations. Family play areas available.
Mondrian Doha – Gulf cuisine with weekly themed nights (Moroccan, Egyptian, Turkish). Contemporary design. Live entertainment.
St. Regis Doha – Elegant Middle Eastern buffet. 80+ dishes. Dedicated grill station. Private dining sections.
Marriott Marquis City Center – Family-friendly with healthy options. Suhoor service 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

Best Restaurants

Iftar recommendations:

Khan Farouk (The Pearl) – Egyptian cuisine, traditional grills, generous portions
Ezdan Palace (West Bay) – Gulf and Moroccan dishes, 60+ item buffet
Beiruti Restaurant (Katara) – Lebanese grills, 15+ cold appetizers, fresh kunafa
Al Nafourah (Sheraton) – Pan-Arabic with live bread-making, extensive mezze

Suhoor recommendations:

Al Majlis Tent (Marsa Malaz Kempinski) – Arabic dishes, Lebanese pastries, 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM
W Hotel Ramadan Tent – Gulf and Moroccan, sustained-energy foods, modern atmosphere
Al Shurfa Restaurant (Katara) – Authentic Qatari harees, thareed, fresh luqaimat

Book early for last 10 nights when demand peaks.

Conclusion

Ramadan 2026 working hours in Qatar mandate 36 hours weekly and 6 hours daily for private sector, 5 hours daily for government sector. The Ministry of Labour enforces these regulations with penalties for violations. Employees receive full salaries despite reduced hours.

Ramadan begins February 18, 2026 (pending moon sighting), with Eid Al-Fitr expected March 19-20, 2026. This winter Ramadan features shorter fasting hours (12h 43m to 13h 32m) and cooler weather compared to summer observances.

Verify specific working hours with your employer, as schedules may vary within labour law limits. Monitor official announcements from the Ministry of Awqaf for confirmed start dates and Eid holidays.

FAQs

The official Ramadan 2026 working hours are 36 hours per week and 6 hours per day maximum for private sector employees in Qatar. Government sector employees work 5 hours daily, typically 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday. These regulations apply to all employees regardless of religion or nationality.

Yes, employees can work remotely during Ramadan 2026 in Qatar, subject to employer approval. Government sector allows up to 30% of staff to work remotely on Fridays, prioritizing Qatari mothers and persons with disabilities. Private sector remote work policies vary by company.

No, employees receive full salaries during Ramadan despite reduced working hours in Qatar. Qatar Labour Law guarantees no salary reduction when hours decrease from 8 hours to 6 hours (private sector) or 5 hours (government sector). Overtime pay rules remain standard at 125% of regular hourly wage.

Yes, flexible Ramadan working hours are allowed within the 6-hour daily requirement in Qatar. Employees may adjust start and end times with manager coordination. Flexibility accommodates prayer schedules and energy patterns while maintaining the mandatory 36-hour weekly cap.

Yes, essential service employees follow different Ramadan timings to maintain 24-hour operations. Healthcare workers at Hamad Medical Corporation, police and civil defence at Ministry of Interior, and emergency services work full shifts through rotation systems. These employees receive schedule adjustments where possible.

The Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque (Qatar State Mosque) is the best place for Taraweeh prayers. This grand mosque accommodates thousands of worshippers with renowned Quran reciters. Additional options include Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar) and Katara Mosque.

No, eating in public during Ramadan fasting hours is prohibited by law for all people in Qatar. Eating, drinking, or smoking in public from dawn until sunset faces fines up to QAR 3,000. Designated screened eating areas in hotels and malls accommodate non-fasting individuals needing daytime meals.

No, employers cannot require more than 6 hours daily or 36 hours weekly during Ramadan in Qatar. Qatar Labour Law Article 73 sets these maximum limits. Employers violating these caps face fines of QAR 2,000 to QAR 6,000 plus QAR 500 per affected employee. Report violations to Ministry of Labour.

Yes, offices remain open during Ramadan with reduced hours. Government offices operate 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Friday. Private sector customer service varies by company, typically 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Banks operate 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM.