Working Time Rules: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: standard working hours, overtime, rest, annual leave, and record-keeping rules - a practical overview, not legal advice.
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Limits, reference periods, exceptions, and record-keeping duties vary by sector and contract and change over time. Confirm the current rules with the official source and a qualified adviser.
Standard work week40 hours per week8 hours a day over 5 days
Minimum annual leave21-30 days21 days for less than 5 years of service. 30 days for 5+ years of service.
Statutory working time
Under Saudi Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51, Art. 98), working hours may not exceed 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, working hours for Muslim employees are reduced to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week.
Overtime
Overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage, and with the worker’s consent may be taken as compensatory paid leave instead. Where the establishment works to the weekly standard, hours beyond it count as overtime, as do all hours worked on public holidays. Annual overtime may not exceed 720 hours without the worker’s consent.
What to check before you rely on this
- The current statutory limits, reference periods, and any opt-outs.
- Sector or collective-agreement rules that may override the defaults.
- How overtime is authorised, recorded, and compensated.
- What working-time records you must keep and for how long.