How Ramadan, the Eid holidays and the Saudi working calendar affect a project timeline, with an illustrative schedule calculation for planning.
Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year because it follows the lunar calendar, and during the month working hours for Muslim employees are reduced by law, government offices keep shorter hours and many businesses change their rhythm. The Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays, Founding Day on 22 February and National Day on 23 September add further non-working days. The example below shows how to reflect this in a schedule.
The situation
An investor is fitting out new offices, with a contractor planning 90 working days of site activity starting a few weeks before Ramadan. The investor wants to know when the offices will realistically be ready. Productivity assumptions below are illustrative, not measured.
Assumptions (illustrative)
- Planned site work: 90 working days at normal productivity.
- Work days before Ramadan in the programme: 20.
- Ramadan working days on site: 24, at an assumed 70% of normal productivity.
- Eid al-Fitr break: an assumed 7 calendar days with no work, of which 5 would have been working days.
- Working week: Sunday to Thursday, five working days.
- After Eid, productivity returns to normal.
Step 1: Output before Ramadan
20 days x 100% = 20 equivalent days of work done.
Work remaining at the start of Ramadan: 90 minus 20 = 70 equivalent days.
Step 2: Output during Ramadan
24 days x 70% = 16.8 equivalent days.
Ramadan consumes 24 calendar working days but delivers only 16.8 days of progress. Remaining: 70 minus 16.8 = 53.2.
Step 3: Eid break
5 working days lost x 0 = 0 equivalent days.
The programme stands still for a week of calendar time. Remaining work is unchanged at 53.2 days.
Step 4: Output after Eid
Round 53.2 up to 54 working days at 100%.
Once work resumes at normal pace, the remaining scope takes 54 more working days.
Step 5: Total working days in the programme
20 + 24 + 5 + 54 = 103 working days, against 90 planned.
In this example, the realistic programme runs about 13 working days, or around two and a half weeks, longer than the naive plan.
What changes the answer
- If the whole programme falls outside Ramadan, the delay disappears; timing the start matters.
- Night shifts during Ramadan can recover part of the lost productivity on some sites.
- Government approvals and inspections may slow down during Ramadan and the Eid holidays, adding delay beyond site output.
- Summer rules restricting outdoor work at midday affect construction when Ramadan falls in the hot months.
- Supply of materials can slow before Eid as suppliers and logistics firms close.
What the numbers tell you
- Check where Ramadan and the Eids fall in the Gregorian calendar for the year of your project.
- Plan reduced output in Ramadan rather than assuming normal productivity.
- Avoid scheduling critical approvals or handovers in the last days of Ramadan and the Eid week.
- Agree Ramadan working patterns with contractors in advance, not when the month begins.
Limits of this example
Every figure above is an illustrative assumption used to show the method, not a quote, valuation or market rate. Costs, rates, fees and regulations change and must be confirmed with the relevant authority, lender or supplier before you commit.
Domira works with foreign investors on the property side of entering Saudi Arabia: finding land or premises, due diligence, design, construction and asset management. For licensing, tax and legal steps, work with a licensed adviser; we coordinate with yours so the property decision fits the structure you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are working hours during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia?
The Labour Law provides reduced working hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan, and government bodies announce their own Ramadan hours each year. Many private companies adjust hours for all staff. Check the current legal limit and any announcement for the year, and publish your company schedule before the month starts.
When are the public holidays in Saudi Arabia?
The main holidays are Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha during the Hajj season, Founding Day on 22 February and National Day on 23 September. The Eid dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year, and the exact number of holiday days is announced. Check the official announcement for the year when planning.
Is it a good idea to schedule business meetings during Ramadan?
Meetings still happen, but schedules change: days start later, energy is lower in the afternoon, and evenings become busy with family and social gatherings. Short meetings in the late morning often work best. Avoid the last ten days of the month and the Eid holiday for anything that needs a decision.
Do government offices close during Ramadan and Eid in Saudi Arabia?
Government bodies keep working in Ramadan on reduced hours announced each year, and many services continue online through the digital platforms. During the Eid holidays offices close for the announced period, and applications that need a human decision tend to wait until staff return. File anything time-sensitive well before the month starts, especially residency renewals and licence applications.
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