Public holidays in Bahrain

How Bahrain’s Public Holiday Calendar Works

The national portal lists New Year, Labour Day and National Day alongside Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, the Hijri New Year, Ashura and the Prophet’s Birthday.[1]

The portal marks Islamic holidays as subject to confirmation. Check the officially confirmed calendar before making firm plans around those dates.[1]

Paid Holidays for Private-Sector Employees

Bahrain’s Labour Law provides full-pay leave on the holidays and official occasions specified by a Council of Ministers decision. That decision lists the Hijri New Year, Ashura, the Prophet’s Birthday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, New Year, Labour Day, National Day and the King’s Accession Day.[2][3]

If one of the listed holidays falls on a Friday or another official holiday, the decision provides a compensatory day. If an employee is required to work on an official holiday, the Labour Law provides for additional pay or a substitute day, as specified in the law.[2][3]

Eid and Other Islamic Observances

The private-sector decision specifies three paid days for Eid al-Fitr and three for Eid al-Adha. It also specifies two days for Ashura. The national portal lists Arafat Day separately in its calendar.[1][2]

The decision sets the private-sector holidays by Hijri calendar dates, while the national portal warns that Islamic holiday dates are subject to confirmation. Check the official calendar for the relevant period.[1][2]

Weekly Rest Days

For government entities, Bahrain’s official schedule identifies Friday and Saturday as weekly holidays. It also provides for extending a government holiday by another day when an official holiday falls on Friday or Saturday.[1][4]

For private-sector employees, the Labour Law identifies Friday as the weekly rest day, while allowing an employer to substitute another day for some workers. The rules for government and private-sector schedules therefore differ.[3][4]

Planning Around Public Holidays

For appointments, travel and work schedules around Islamic holidays, check the official calendar once dates have been confirmed. Opening arrangements can vary by service, so confirm directly with the relevant organisation before relying on normal hours.[1]