Qatar’s core statutory paid public holidays for private sector employees in 2026 are National Sports Day, Eid Al Fitr (3 working days), Eid Al Adha (3 working days), and Qatar National Day. New Year’s Day is widely observed, especially by banks and many companies, but it is not a universal statutory paid holiday for all private sector employees under Qatar Labour Law. This guide covers every confirmed date with official Amiri Diwan sources, explains the difference between government and private sector entitlements, and sets out your exact legal rights if your employer asks you to work on an official holiday.
Sources used in this guide: Amiri Diwan official announcements, Qatar Ministry of Labour circulars, Qatar Central Bank (QCB) official notices, and Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Islamic holiday dates are subject to final confirmation by the Qatar Moon Sighting Committee. Check official announcements at diwan.gov.qa and the Qatar Ministry of Labour at mol.gov.qa for sector-specific guidance.
Qatar Public Holidays 2026 — Official Confirmed Dates
| Holiday | Date | Day | Government Sector | Private Sector | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | 1 day | Widely observed by banks and most offices. Not a universal statutory paid holiday under Qatar Labour Law for all private sector employees. | Observed |
| National Sports Day | February 10, 2026 | Tuesday | 1 day | 1 day (statutory) | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 17 to 23, 2026 | Tue to Mon | 7 days (Mar 17 to 23) | 3 working days (Shawwal 1 to 3) | Confirmed — Amiri Diwan Mar 15 |
| Eid Al Adha | May 26 to 30, 2026 | Tue to Sat | 5 days (May 26 to 30) | 3 working days (Tue May 26 to Thu May 28) | Confirmed — Amiri Diwan |
| Qatar National Day | December 18, 2026 | Friday | 1 day | 1 day (statutory) | Confirmed |
Important — Qatar vs UAE holiday structure:
Qatar has only four core statutory public holidays while the UAE has seven occasions. Qatar does not observe Islamic New Year or the Prophet’s Birthday as statutory paid days off for private sector employees. Arafat Day is included within the government Eid Al Adha period but is not a standalone statutory holiday for private sector employees. Always check your employment contract and company policy for these observances.
Every Holiday Explained
New Year’s Day — January 1, 2026 (Thursday)
New Year’s Day is observed as a bank holiday and widely observed public holiday across Qatar on January 1 each year. In 2026 it fell on a Thursday, creating a natural three-day break from Thursday January 1 through Saturday January 3. Most government offices, banks, and many private sector businesses closed for the day. However, New Year’s Day is not a universal statutory paid holiday for all private sector employees under Qatar Labour Law. Employees should check their employment contract and company policy to confirm their entitlement.
National Sports Day — February 10, 2026 (Tuesday)
National Sports Day is an official statutory public holiday in Qatar observed on the second Tuesday of February every year. In 2026 it fell on Tuesday February 10. The holiday was established to promote sport, fitness, and healthy lifestyles. Government offices close and a full programme of sporting events takes place across Doha. Private sector employers are required to grant this as a statutory paid day off.
As a Tuesday mid-week holiday, employees who took one day of annual leave on Monday February 9 extended this into a four-day break from Saturday February 7 through Tuesday February 10.
Eid Al Fitr — March 17 to 23, 2026
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is the most significant holiday of the first half of the year. The Amiri Diwan officially announced the Eid Al Fitr 2026 holiday on March 15, 2026. The first day of Eid (Shawwal 1) fell on Friday March 20, with the Eid prayer confirmed at 5:53 AM by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
Government Sector
7 days
Tuesday March 17 to Monday March 23. Return to work Tuesday March 24. Announced by Amiri Diwan on March 15, 2026.
Private Sector
3 working days
Shawwal 1 to 3 (Friday March 20 to Sunday March 22). Many employers follow the government schedule and grant more. The statutory entitlement under Qatar Labour Law is 3 working days.
Under Qatar Labour Law, private sector employees are entitled to 3 working days of paid leave for Eid Al Fitr. In 2026 these correspond to Shawwal 1 to 3 (Friday March 20 through Sunday March 22). Many employers follow the government schedule and grant additional days, but the legal entitlement is 3 working days. Banks and financial institutions received a separate holiday schedule announced by the Qatar Central Bank.
Eid Al Adha — May 26 to 30, 2026
Eid Al Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is the most important Islamic holiday of the year. The Amiri Diwan officially confirmed that government entities, ministries, public bodies, and institutions observed the holiday from Tuesday May 26 through Saturday May 30, with work resuming on Sunday May 31.
Government Sector
5 days
Tuesday May 26 to Saturday May 30. Return to work Sunday May 31. Announced by Amiri Diwan.
Private Sector
3 working days
Tuesday May 26 to Thursday May 28 (3 working days). Many employees effectively get Wednesday to Friday off depending on how their employer schedules the days around the weekend. Return Sunday May 31.
| Sector | Holiday Period | Days Off | Return to Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government (ministries, public bodies) | Tuesday May 26 to Saturday May 30 | 5 days | Sunday May 31 |
| Banks and financial institutions (QCB) | Tuesday May 26 to Thursday May 28 | 3 days | Sunday May 31 |
| Private sector | 3 working days (Tue May 26 to Thu May 28) | 3 working days | Confirmed by employer |
Under Qatar Labour Law, private sector employees are entitled to 3 working days of paid leave for Eid Al Adha. Official guidance for 2026 sets the private sector holiday from Tuesday May 26 to Thursday May 28, with Eid prayer on Wednesday May 27. Combined with the Friday and Saturday weekend, this gives many employees a break from Tuesday May 26 through Sunday May 31 depending on how their employer schedules the days around the weekend.
Qatar National Day — December 18, 2026 (Friday)
Qatar National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watani) commemorates December 18, 1878, when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani assumed leadership of Qatar. It is the most significant national occasion of the year, marked with parades, military displays, fireworks, concerts, and large public celebrations across Doha.
In 2026 Qatar National Day falls on Friday December 18, which is part of the Qatar weekend (Friday and Saturday). Many government entities and private sector employers grant a substitute compensatory day off on the preceding Thursday December 17 or the following Sunday December 20. This is not automatic — confirm with your employer what arrangement applies in your workplace.
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Long Weekend Planner — Qatar 2026
| Holiday | Official Days Off | Total Break | Leave Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 (Thu) | 3 days — Thu to Sat | 0 days (not universal statutory) |
| National Sports Day | Feb 10 (Tue) | 1 day (4 days with 1 leave Mon + weekend) | 1 day optional for 4-day break |
| Eid Al Fitr | Mar 20 to 22 (Fri to Sun) — 3 working days | 3 days minimum (more if employer follows govt schedule) | 0 days |
| Eid Al Adha | 3 working days (Tue May 26 to Thu May 28); actual days off may vary by employer around the weekend. | Up to 6 days (Tue May 26 to Sun May 31) with weekend | 0 days |
| Qatar National Day | Dec 18 (Fri) — falls on weekend | Check employer for substitute day (Thu Dec 17 or Sun Dec 20) | Confirm with employer |
Qatar vs UAE Public Holidays — Key Differences
| Holiday | Qatar | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Widely observed — not universal statutory for all private sector | Statutory paid holiday for all |
| National Sports Day | Statutory (Feb 10) | Not observed |
| Eid Al Fitr | 3 working days private, 7 days government | 3 days both sectors |
| Arafat Day | Included in government period — not standalone statutory for private | Standalone 1-day statutory holiday |
| Eid Al Adha | 3 working days private, 5 days government | 3 days both sectors |
| Islamic New Year | Not a statutory paid holiday | 1-day statutory holiday |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Not a statutory paid holiday | 1-day statutory holiday |
| National Day | December 18 (1 day) | December 2 and 3 (2 days) |
Your Rights on Qatar Public Holidays
Every Qatar private sector employee is entitled to a paid day off on all statutory public holidays under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. This right applies regardless of your nationality, salary level, or industry across all of Qatar.
If your employer requires you to work on an official public holiday, Qatar Labour Law entitles you to both of the following for each holiday day worked:
- A compensatory day off in lieu, to be taken by mutual agreement with your employer.
- Holiday pay at your normal wage plus an increase of not less than 50% of your basic wage for the hours worked on the holiday. In practice this means you are paid your full normal daily wage for that day, plus an additional amount equal to at least 50% of your basic wage for the hours worked.
This is not an either/or choice — both the compensatory day off and the additional pay are required under Qatar Labour Law when you work on a public holiday. If your employer refuses to honour your entitlement, file a complaint with the Qatar Ministry of Labour at mol.gov.qa, through the Amerni app, or by calling 16008.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many official public holidays does Qatar have in 2026?
Qatar’s core statutory paid public holidays for private sector employees in 2026 are:
- National Sports Day — 1 day (February 10)
- Eid Al Fitr — 3 working days (Shawwal 1 to 3)
- Eid Al Adha — 3 working days (Dhu Al Hijjah 10 to 12, working days)
- Qatar National Day — 1 day (December 18)
New Year’s Day is widely observed, especially by banks and many companies, but it is not a universal statutory paid holiday for all private sector employees under Qatar Labour Law. Government sector employees receive additional days during the Eid periods.
Does Qatar observe Islamic New Year or the Prophet’s Birthday as public holidays?
No. Unlike the UAE, Qatar does not designate Islamic New Year or the Prophet’s Birthday as statutory paid public holidays for private sector employees. These are culturally significant occasions but offices and businesses do not officially close for them under Qatar Labour Law unless an employer chooses to grant additional leave.
How many days off do private sector employees get for Eid Al Fitr in Qatar?
Private sector employees in Qatar are entitled to 3 working days of paid leave for Eid Al Fitr under Qatar Labour Law, covering Shawwal 1 to 3. In 2026 this corresponds to Friday March 20 through Sunday March 22. Many private sector employers follow the government schedule and grant more days. The government sector received 7 full days off from March 17 through March 23.
What is Arafat Day and is it a public holiday in Qatar?
Arafat Day (9 Dhu Al Hijjah) is the sacred day of the Hajj pilgrimage. In Qatar, Arafat Day is included within the government sector Eid Al Adha holiday period starting May 26. It is not designated as a standalone statutory paid holiday for private sector employees under Qatar Labour Law, though many employers close or operate reduced hours. Check with your HR department for your company’s specific policy.
What happens if Qatar National Day falls on a Friday?
In 2026 Qatar National Day falls on Friday December 18, which is already part of the Qatar weekend. When the statutory holiday falls on a weekend day, many government entities and private sector employers grant a substitute day off on the preceding Thursday or the following Sunday. This is not automatic under Qatar Labour Law — confirm with your employer what arrangement applies in your workplace.
What is the longest holiday break in Qatar in 2026?
For government sector employees the longest break is Eid Al Fitr with 7 consecutive days off from Tuesday March 17 through Monday March 23. For private sector employees the longest effective break is the Eid Al Adha period, with 3 working days from Tuesday May 26 through Thursday May 28 that extends into a break of up to 6 days from Tuesday May 26 through Sunday May 31 when combined with the Friday and Saturday weekend.
If I work on a Qatar public holiday what am I entitled to?
Under Qatar Labour Law, if you work on a statutory public holiday you are entitled to both: a compensatory day off in lieu taken by mutual agreement with your employer, and holiday pay at your normal wage plus an additional increase of not less than 50% of your basic wage for the hours worked. This means you are paid your full normal wage for the day, plus an additional amount equal to at least 50% of your basic wage for the hours worked. Both entitlements apply together — it is not a choice between one or the other.
Sources: Amiri Diwan official Eid Al Fitr announcement (March 15, 2026), Amiri Diwan Eid Al Adha announcement (May 2026), Qatar Central Bank (QCB) official circulars, Qatar Ministry of Labour at mol.gov.qa, Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Islamic holiday dates confirmed by official moon sighting announcements. GulfNabd updates this page within 24 hours of every official Qatar public holiday announcement. Last updated: August 27, 2026.
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