Bahrain Public Holidays and Holiday Work Pay
The next holiday is shown first; then calculate what you are owed if you work on a holiday.
Pay for working on a public holiday
Public holidays in Bahrain: 2026 and 2027
| Holiday | Days | Rest of 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 day | — | Fri 1 Jan |
| Eid al-Fitr | 3 days | — | Tue 9 Mar – Thu 11 Mar (or Wed 10 Mar – Fri 12 Mar) · expected |
| Labour Day | 1 day | — | Sat 1 May |
| Eid al-Adha | 3 days | — | Sun 16 May – Tue 18 May (or Mon 17 May – Wed 19 May) · expected |
| Islamic New Year | 1 day | — | Sun 6 Jun · expected |
| Ashura (9-10 Muharram) | 2 days | — | Mon 14 Jun – Tue 15 Jun · expected |
| Prophet's Birthday | 1 day | — | Sat 14 Aug (or Sun 15 Aug) · expected |
| National Day and Accession Day | 2 days | Wed 16 Dec – Thu 17 Dec | Thu 16 Dec – Fri 17 Dec |
Pay for working on a holiday
A worker who works on a public holiday is entitled to the day's wage plus extra pay equal to 150% of it, or another day off instead, at the worker's choice (Article 64). We calculate the day's wage as salary ÷ 30 and the amount owed as 2.5 times that on top of salary. On another reading the day's wage is already in the salary, so the extra is 1.5 times.
Example: salary BHD 600 and one working day on Eid: 600 ÷ 30 = 20, so you are owed BHD 50 or a day off. On the other reading, BHD 30.
Holidays that fall on a Friday
If a holiday falls on a Friday or another public holiday, the worker gets another day instead (Article 2 of Decision 1/2013). In 2027, New Year's Day (Friday 1 January) and National Day (Friday 17 December) are compensated, and Eid al-Fitr may be if it ends on a Friday.
Government sector
The government follows circulars from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for each occasion, including Arafat Day and days in lieu. The private sector follows Decision 1/2013, which does not include Arafat Day.
Hijri dates are expected and may move by a day depending on the moon sighting.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does the private sector get in Bahrain?
14 days: the Islamic New Year, Tasu'a and Ashura, the Prophet's Birthday, Eid al-Fitr (3 days), Eid al-Adha (3 days), New Year's Day, Labour Day, and National Day and Accession Day (2 days) under Cabinet Decision 1/2013. The decision does not include Arafat Day, which the government grants by circular.
How much is pay for working on a public holiday in Bahrain?
The day's wage plus extra pay equal to 150% of it, or another day off instead, at the worker's choice (Article 64). Example: salary BHD 600: 20 × 2.5 = BHD 50 on top of salary.
What if a holiday falls on a Friday?
The worker gets another day instead (Article 64 and Decision 1/2013), as when it falls on another holiday. Saturday is not mentioned, so Labour Day on Saturday 1 May 2027 has no day in lieu on our reading.
When is Bahrain National Day in 2026?
Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December 2026; in 2027 it falls on Thursday and Friday 16–17 December, with a day in lieu for the Friday.
Sources
- Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission — Labour Law 36/2012 (Article 64, Arabic)
- Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission — Cabinet Decision 1/2013 on private-sector official holidays (Arabic)
- Prime Minister's Office — Eid al-Adha 2026 holiday circular
Figures and formulas on this page were last reviewed on 2026-11-03.