Astronomers expect Ramadan 2027 to begin on Monday 8 February in the UAE. Eid Al Fitr would then fall on Tuesday 9 March if the month lasts 29 days, or Wednesday 10 March if it lasts 30. The dates are projections from the UAE’s Astronomy Centre. The real start is confirmed only when the moon-sighting committee meets the evening before.
Expected dates at a glance
| Event | If Ramadan is 29 days | If Ramadan is 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| First day of Ramadan | Monday 8 February 2027 | Monday 8 February 2027 |
| Last day of Ramadan | Monday 8 March | Tuesday 9 March |
| Eid Al Fitr (1 Shawwal) | Tuesday 9 March | Wednesday 10 March |
| Public holiday | Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 March | Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 March |
| Break with the weekend | 3 days, then Friday at work | 6 days, Tuesday 9 to Sunday 14 March |
The Eid holiday covers the first three days of Shawwal. When Ramadan runs the full 30 days, the 30th day is a holiday as well, which is what produces the six-day stretch. The 29-day row assumes a Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Working hours during Ramadan
- Private sector: the working day is cut by two hours for the whole month under the UAE labour law. This applies to all employees, whether or not they are fasting.
- Government: federal and local departments publish shorter Ramadan hours each year, usually a few weeks before the month begins.
- Overtime: hours worked beyond the reduced day count as overtime.
- Free zones: DIFC and ADGM have their own employment rules. In those two zones the reduction applies to Muslim employees who are fasting. See labour law in free zones.
What else changes
- Schools run a shorter day. Ramadan 2027 sits inside Term 2, between the January return and the April spring break. See the 2026–27 school calendar.
- Salik toll timings shift during Ramadan. See Salik timings and charges.
- Paid parking, metro and mall hours change and are announced by each emirate shortly before the month.
- Eating out: restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi serve through the day. Rules are stricter in Sharjah. Wherever you are, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public spaces during fasting hours out of consideration.
- Remittances: exchange houses are busiest in the last ten days before Eid. Sending earlier usually means shorter queues. See sending money home.
Why the date is only “expected”
The Islamic calendar is lunar, and each month starts with the sighting of the new crescent. Astronomical calculation can predict when the crescent should be visible, which is where 8 February comes from, but the UAE confirms the start by an official sighting on the 29th evening of the month before. A one-day shift either way is normal. Ramadan also moves about 10 or 11 days earlier each year, which is why it now falls in winter, with shorter fasting days than a few years ago.
Common questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start in the UAE?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, subject to the official moon sighting.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027 in the UAE?
Eid Al Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027 if Ramadan lasts 29 days, or Wednesday 10 March if it lasts 30 days.
How many days is the Eid Al Fitr holiday in the UAE?
The holiday covers the first three days of Shawwal. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the 30th day is also a holiday, which with the weekend could give six days off from 9 to 14 March 2027.
Do working hours change in Ramadan for non-Muslims?
Yes. Under the UAE labour law the two-hour reduction applies to all private-sector employees, whether or not they are fasting. DIFC and ADGM apply their own rules.
Published 5 October 2026. Expected dates from the UAE Astronomy Centre as reported by The National (9 September 2026) and Arabian Business. Dates are projections until the official moon-sighting announcement. We will update this page when government and private-sector hours are announced.
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