Standard Working Hours in Dubai 2026: Complete Guide for Employees & Employers

Understanding working hours in Dubai is quite important for a person who works or is about to work in this dynamic city. Dubai is an economically vibrant city with a cosmopolitan workforce that offers unparalleled opportunities and challenges in the professional world. Familiarity with labor laws will help employees and employers maintain a healthy work environment. From the bare legal requirements down to practical adjustments, such as those at Ramadan, this guide gives insight into Dubai’s working hours. This article will help an expatriate, employer, and part-time worker understand how to work within the labor system in Dubai.

Quick overview of the article’s key points:

Overview of Working Hours in Dubai (2026 Update)

Even in 2026, the work schedule in Dubai is designed to help achieve employee productivity and well-being. The week starts on a Monday and goes to a Friday. In fact, most businesses observe eight working hours a day or forty to forty-eight hours a week. The UAE Law has set a limit to the maximum number of hours a person can work continuously, with flexibility in the definition of industries for shift or extended hours.

Dubai also calls for flexible or hybrid arrangements, wherever possible, and has fewer working hours during Ramadan. Considering all factors, the 2026 update reaffirms the commitment of Dubai toward a modern, competitive, and employee-friendly workplace.

Regulations Governing Working Hours

The primary source of legal authority for workers within Dubai is the UAE Federal Labor Law. The Labor Law has established regulations for the number of hours worked, days off and overtime payment. The labour laws provide a framework to ensure that workers are productive and have a healthy work/life balance. Workers working under the UAE Federal Labour Laws will not be able to work more than eight (8) hours a day and forty-eight (48) hours a week; unless under exceptional circumstances.

Impact on Workers and Employers

Employers must comply with all of these laws because they are subject to fines and employees have the right to report violations. Respecting labor laws promotes productivity and a positive work environment that benefits both parties.

Standard Working Hours in Dubai

The standard working hours, as per UAE Labour Law, are up to 8 hours per day or 48 hours in a week. These standards will protect the rights of employees in the UAE from employer exploitation. These are guidelines that employers are supposed to work within, remunerating employees when they have breached these limits or offering time off in place of overtime worked. Of course, specific changes apply to industries like retail or hospitality, but knowing policies in the workplace is a critical aspect of safeguarding employees’ rights and welfare.

Legal Working Hours

Most sectors in Dubai typically operate on an average daily schedule of eight hours per day, or 40 hours per week over a 52-week year (or 30 hours per week for a 63-week financial reporting period). Some industries, however, such as hospitality and retail sales, require a greater time commitment from their employees because of the nature of operations within those sectors.

Weekly Work Limits

Employers are required to ensure that weekly working hours do not exceed the legal limit, unless overtime is paid. This applies to all workers, regardless of their nationality or status.

Working Hours During Ramadan

During Ramadan, all Muslim employees will be granted a two-hour exemption in the daily work schedule. This should help accommodate both fasting and prayer schedules with no inhibition on religious observance.
Depending on company rules, shorter working hours may also be granted to non-Muslim employees. Many employers extend this facility of reduced hours to all workers in order to maintain equality and morale at workplaces.

Working Hours for Part-time Employees in Dubai

In 2026, part-time workers in Dubai will benefit from a flexible framework that permits them to work fewer hours than full-time employees while still being protected by UAE labor law. Although some roles may require fewer or slightly more hours per week depending on business needs, part-time hours are usually arranged based on mutual agreement between the employer and employee and typically range from 20 to 30 hours per week.

Employees who obtain the appropriate work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) are permitted to work multiple part-time jobs concurrently. Part-time workers are still entitled to important benefits like prorated leave, rest periods, and overtime pay when necessary, even with fewer hours worked. Because of this structure, part-time work in Dubai is a feasible choice for professionals, freelancers, and students looking for more flexible work schedules.

Overtime Policy in Dubai

According to UAE labor law, it is mandatory for employers to pay employees for overtime work. Overtime is computed at 25-50% more than the regular hourly rate, depending upon the time of work. Overtime work beyond eight hours a day or 48 hours a week must be paid. Work at night and work on public holidays are paid at higher rates.

Overtime Pay Calculation Rules

The 2026 regulations specify how the timing and type of additional hours must be taken into account when calculating overtime compensation. These rules guarantee that workers are paid fairly and consistently. Important computation criteria consist of:

• Typical Day Overtime: paid a basic hourly wage plus twenty-five percent.
• Night Overtime (10 p.m. – 4 a.m.): paid at basic hourly wage plus 50% unless working at night is a regular part of the job.
• Weekly Rest Day or Overtime on Public Holidays: The worker either gets a replacement day off or basic pay plus 50% overtime compensation.

These structured laws help protect workers’ rights while enabling employers to manage human resources, planning, and labor costs more effectively.

Weekend and Public Holiday Regulations

Dubai follows the weekend structure of Saturday and Sunday as in the UAE. The employees get these days off, provided their contracts say so. Workers are entitled to time off with pay on public holidays, or compensatory time or extra pay if they have to work.

UAE Weekend Schedule (Saturday–Sunday)

In an effort to align the private sector more closely with international markets and boost efficiency in businesses, Dubai officially follows a weekend system from Saturday to Sunday. While many industries remain operational because of business needs, most employees have at least two consecutive days off. Also, employers are obliged to give monetary compensation or another off day when employees work on such weekends. This structure allows it to support industries that require constant activities while creating better balances between work life and personal life.

Developing Rules for Compensation and Public Holidays

In general, workers in Dubai are entitled to time off on public holidays; however, if they must work, the law stipulates precise pay guidelines. Employees must be paid either their base pay plus a 50% overtime premium or a substitute holiday. To guarantee equitable treatment across all sectors, public holidays like Eid, National Day, and other official observances are tightly regulated. When necessary, these regulations permit the continuation of vital services while safeguarding the rights of employees.

Remote Work Policies in Dubai

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work arrangements in Dubai. In addition, the majority of companies allow hybrid models, where some days are spent in the office and others from home. The UAE encourages remote work in its policies because it promotes digitization and flexibility in working hours.

Flexible Working Hours

More flexible work timing is getting trendy in Dubai, especially in the technology and creative sectors. This is embraced by the employer to boost productivity as well as worker satisfaction.
Flexibility promotes easier Personal and Professional Responsibility management, resulting in enhanced Well-being and a decreased risk of Burnout.

Rest and Break Times

Employees get a break of 30 minutes after five consecutive hours of work. Employees who work for more hours get the privilege of taking more frequent breaks. Night workers get special allowances for shorter work hours in order to get adequate resting time.

Working Hours in Special Sectors

This is because certain industries in Dubai require very specific structures of working hours due to the nature of the services required and imposed operational demands. These are considered special labour provisions crafted to protect employees’ well-being while ensuring business continuity and public safety.

• Health care: Workers in this field are typically exposed to shift work where their rest and time off is strictly moderated to avoid incidences of job-related fatigue.
• Retail: The hours of work are longer in the retail areas, with high seasons extending longer. In such cases, extra compensation is required from the employer’s part.
• Construction: Working hours are strictly regulated, especially for construction workers working in summer, lest the effect of heat-related illness takes its toll on the worker.

Employer Responsibilities and Worker Rights Related to Hours

Concerning the issue of working hours in Dubai, the role of employers and the rights of employees with regard to working hours are clearly established for fair treatment of employees and to comply with the law. This is with regard to the maximum daily or weekly hours of work, resting periods, and keeping their records. These obligations operate alongside other essential protections such as End of service benefits in UAE, which safeguard workers throughout their employment lifecycle.

Workers also have the right to appropriate remuneration for extra hours, entitlement to a day of rest in a week, and a reduction in the number of working hours in the month of Ramadan. The law prohibits compelling an employee to work more than the legally allowed number of hours against their free will, striking a proper balance that enables productivity to take center stage without any compromising of important concerns of well-being and basic rights.

Recent Updates to Dubai Working Hours (2026 Changes)

The update of working hours in Dubai for 2026 will increase flexibility and improve employee well-being, which in turn will lead to increasing competitiveness in the labor market. Recent changes have reinforced restrictions on maximum daily and weekly hours and encouraged employers to use hybrid work models, especially for administrative and knowledge-based occupations. For employees seeking clarity or facing disputes, understanding How to file a labor complaint in UAE has also become increasingly important as regulations evolve.

Records of overtime have to be more transparent, with increased restrictions on requirements for documentation. New regulations encourage open communication between employers and employees about weekend work, holiday services, and shift rotation. The government is also continuing its efforts to safeguard the welfare of workers in in-demand professions by introducing stronger guidelines concerning breaks and heat-related limitations. Their objective is a contemporary work environment that would also be productive and pleasant for workers, in line with international norms.

Conclusion

Working hours in Dubai combine efficiency with the welfare of the employee through appropriate and flexible labor laws. Such regulations result in a work-friendly environment that builds trust and loyalty, further strengthening Dubai’s status as an international business destination. The flexibility in working hours, including those during Ramadan or for part-time and remote working, underlines Dubai’s inclusive and innovative approach toward ensuring success with high job satisfaction for the longer term.

FAQs

1. What are the legal working hours in Dubai?

The legal working hours are eight hours per day or 48 hours per week.

2. Do Ramadan working hours apply to all employees?

Yes, Ramadan hours apply to all employees, though they primarily cater to Muslim workers.

3. How is overtime calculated in Dubai?

Overtime is compensated at 25-50% above the regular hourly rate.

4. What industries have special working hours rules?

The sectors such as healthcare, construction, aviation, hospitality, and retail are under special rules because of the reasons mentioned above: shift work, long hours, and safety requirements.

5. Can employees work on public holidays?

Yes, but they must receive additional pay or compensatory leave.

6. Are flexible/remote hours legally protected in Dubai?

Definitely. Dubai permits and supports flexible and remote working arrangements as long as the employers comply with the basic standard labor laws regarding working hours, overtime, and employee rights.