In Saudi Arabia, the number on your contract is only half of your pay story. The other half is how many hours you work for it. Long shifts, unpaid extra hours and missing rest days are among the most common complaints from workers in driving, security, retail and construction. The Saudi Labor Law sets clear limits, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) publishes the relevant articles. This guide turns them into practical points you can check against your own schedule.
- Actual work is limited to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (Article 98).
- For Muslim workers in Ramadan the limit falls to 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week.
- Overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage for each extra hour (Article 107).
- All hours worked on public holidays count as extra hours, from the first hour.
- You should not work more than 5 hours in a row without a break of at least 30 minutes.
The hour limits at a glance
| Situation | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal work | 8 hours a day or 48 a week | Article 98 |
| Muslim workers during Ramadan | 6 hours a day or 36 a week | Article 98 |
| Some categories or non-continuous work | Can rise to 9 hours a day | Article 99 |
| Hazardous or harmful work | Can be reduced to 7 hours a day | Article 99 |
| Shift work, with Ministry approval | Averaged over three weeks, still within 8 and 48 | Article 100 |
| Exceptional pressure | Up to 10 hours a day or 60 a week | Article 106, as reported by Chambers |
| Time at the workplace including breaks | No more than 11 hours a day | Article 101, as reported by Chambers |
The exceptional limits are not a licence for permanent long days. They exist for temporary peaks, and hours above the normal limit still have to be paid as overtime.
How Saudi overtime is calculated
Article 107 requires the employer to pay for each overtime hour the normal hourly wage plus an extra 50% of the basic wage. Many quick guides shorten this to “hourly rate times 1.5”. Noqta’s analysis of Article 107 points out that this shortcut is right only if your whole salary is basic pay. When part of your package is allowances, the formula gives a different figure.
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Basic wage | SAR 3,000 |
| Total wage with housing allowance | SAR 4,000 |
| Hourly wage (SAR 4,000 divided by 30 days and 8 hours) | SAR 16.67 |
| Extra 50% of the basic hourly wage (SAR 3,000 divided by 240, then halved) | SAR 6.25 |
| Pay for one overtime hour | SAR 22.92 |
The “times 1.5” shortcut would give SAR 25.00 for the same worker, so it can overstate the figure when allowances exist. Employers and calculators differ on which wage forms the hourly base, so use this as a check and ask HR in writing how your figure is worked out. You can test your own numbers in our overtime pay calculator for the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Recent amendments added flexibility. According to commentary on the 2025 changes, an employer may, with the worker’s consent, give paid compensatory leave in place of overtime wages. The key words are “with consent”. You are not required to accept time off instead of pay if you want the money.
Ramadan: why your normal shift can become overtime
During Ramadan the legal limit for a Muslim worker drops to 6 hours a day. The effect is easy to miss. If you work your usual 8 hours, the seventh and eighth hours are overtime, even though the same shift is normal for the rest of the year. Keep your wage basis at the normal 8-hour day when you calculate the hourly rate, and count only the hours above the Ramadan limit as extra. Non-Muslim workers are not covered by the shorter Ramadan limit.
Breaks, rest days and holidays
- Breaks: no more than five continuous hours of work, with rest, meal and prayer breaks of at least 30 minutes. Breaks are not counted as working time.
- Weekly rest: a paid rest day of at least 24 hours each week, usually Friday, though another day can be set.
- Public holidays: HRSD states that all hours worked on public holidays are treated as extra hours.
- Annual leave: 21 days a year, rising to 30 days after five years of service under Article 109.
- Sick leave: up to 120 days a year after probation, on a falling pay scale, and an employer may not terminate a worker during approved sick leave. Check Article 117 for the exact pay steps.
If your employer ignores the rules
- Record your hours. Note start and finish times, break times and any messages asking you to stay late.
- Check your contract on Qiwa. The working hours stated there matter. Our guide to checking your Qiwa contract shows where to look.
- Compare with the payslip. Look for an overtime line and compare it with your own record.
- Raise it in writing with HR, quoting the hours and dates.
- File a claim with HRSD if it is not fixed. Our guide to direct wage claims through Najiz explains the route for unpaid dues.
Hours and notice also interact with probation and termination. See our guide to Saudi probation and notice rules before you resign, and our end-of-service guide to estimate what you are owed on exit. If you are comparing countries, the UAE working hours and overtime guide shows a different overtime method.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can I work per day in Saudi Arabia?
Normal actual work is limited to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Some categories can reach 9 hours a day, and exceptional peaks can reach 10 hours a day.
What are the working hours in Ramadan?
For Muslim workers the limit is 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week. Hours above that count as overtime.
How is overtime paid in Saudi Arabia?
For each extra hour the employer pays the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage under Article 107. The result depends on how much of your pay is basic.
Do public holiday hours count as overtime?
Yes. HRSD states that all hours worked on public holidays are considered extra hours.
Can my employer give me time off instead of overtime pay?
Recent amendments allow compensatory paid leave in place of overtime wages, but only with the worker’s consent.
How long can I work without a break?
Not more than five hours in a row. Breaks for rest, meals and prayer must total at least 30 minutes.
Sources
- HRSD Knowledge Centre: Working hours articles of the Labor Law
- Noqta: Saudi overtime calculation under Article 107
- Chambers: Doing Business in Saudi Arabia 2025, working time
- KSA Expats: Saudi Arabia working hours for private sector workers
- ZenHR: Saudi Labor Law at a glance
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. Hour limits and overtime details can differ by sector, contract and recent amendments. Confirm with HRSD or a qualified adviser before relying on a figure for a dispute. This is general information, not legal advice.