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Data note: FOUAE (Founders of UAE) based this guide on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and official guidance up to August 2026. It covers the private sector only and is not legal advice.

UAE working hours in the private sector stop at 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, under Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Overtime can add up to 2 hours a day, with a premium of at least 25 per cent. In Ramadan, the working day drops by 2 hours.

In short

  • The limit is 8 hours a day or 48 a week, but breaks don’t count as work.
  • Overtime pays at least 25 per cent extra on basic pay, or 50 per cent at night.
  • During summer, outdoor work stops at midday from 15 June to 15 September.

What are the UAE working hours per day and per week?

The standard is 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, the government’s u.ae guidance says. The page was also updated on 12 August 2026. However, the law’s executive regulations can raise or lower daily hours for some sectors and roles.

Then there is a longer cap. Working hours should not exceed 144 every three weeks, according to the Dubai Development Authority’s summary of the law. In other words, the three-week cap matches a 48-hour weekly average.

Many contracts set fewer UAE working hours, so the legal limit works as a ceiling, not a target. For the wider framework, see FOUAE’s guide to UAE labour law.

Do breaks and commuting count towards UAE working hours?

No, on both counts. After five hours in a row, a worker gets one or more breaks totalling at least one hour, the u.ae guidance says. As the same page puts it, “Breaks are not calculated within the working hours.”

The commute gets the same treatment, too. Travel between home and work does not count as working time, except for some roles, according to u.ae.

So a 9am to 6pm day with a one-hour lunch adds up to 8 working hours. By contrast, the same day with only a 30-minute break would run past the daily limit and miss the one-hour minimum break.

What are the UAE overtime rules?

An employer may ask for overtime, but it cannot go beyond 2 hours a day, the u.ae guidance states. Then, for each extra hour, the worker earns the basic hourly wage plus at least 25 per cent of it.

The premium also rises at night. Between 10pm and 4am, overtime earns at least 50 per cent extra, although shift workers fall outside this rule. Similarly, work on a rest day earns a substitute day off or normal pay plus at least 50 per cent, according to u.ae.

Rest days also have limits. Apart from daily-wage workers, no one may work more than two rest days in a row, the Dubai Development Authority’s summary says.

The FOUAE calculation: what overtime adds

Take, for example, a worker on a basic salary of AED 6,000 a month. For the hourly figure, FOUAE assumes a 30-day month and an 8-hour day, which gives AED 25 an hour on basic pay. Still, contracts may calculate this differently.

On FOUAE’s arithmetic, the daytime premium is at least AED 6.25 for each overtime hour, on top of the AED 25. At night, however, the premium doubles to at least AED 12.50 an hour.

The three-week cap matters as much as the rate, though. A 48-hour contract already uses all 144 hours. Article 19 caps total hours, overtime included, at 144 every three weeks, Gulf News reported. So a 45-hour contract leaves 9 hours of headroom. Both cases use the same three-week period.

How do UAE working hours change in Ramadan?

During Ramadan, the working day falls by 2 hours. Khaleej Times reported on 12 February 2026 that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation had confirmed the cut for private companies. In addition, firms may use flexible or remote schedules within the shorter day, the paper said.

For many families, though, the change is personal. “Everyone comes home at different times and eats alone. That is painful,” Mouhab Khalid, who lives with two working parents, told Khaleej Times in February 2026.

What are the UAE working hours in summer?

The daily limits stay the same, but outdoor work stops at midday. From 15 June to 15 September, no one may work under direct sun between 12:30pm and 3pm. The National reported the 2026 dates in June. The National dates the rule’s introduction to 2004.

Breaches also cost money. Companies face a fine of AED 5,000 for each breach, up to AED 50,000 where several breaches occur, The National reported. Meanwhile, Gulf News reported in June 2026 that work which cannot pause for technical or public safety reasons, such as concrete pouring, may continue.

What employers should set out in the contract

For founders and HR teams, in particular, the clause on UAE working hours shapes payroll. A 48-hour week leaves no room for overtime within the three-week cap. As a result, firms that expect busy periods may prefer a shorter standard week.

Remote work also needs clarity. If a worker asks to work remotely, the employer must set specific working hours, the u.ae guidance says. Likewise, an employer cannot demand more than the contracted hours from someone with several employers, unless the worker agrees in writing.

Leave sits alongside hours, of course. FOUAE’s guides to UAE annual leave and the UAE minimum wage cover the related rules.

Verdict: UAE working hours have firm limits and a clear price

UAE working hours stop at 8 a day or 48 a week. Even so, breaks and the commute sit outside that total. Overtime is possible, but it comes with a daily limit, a three-week cap and a premium on basic pay. Ramadan and summer then add their own changes, and the contract sets the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours is a working day in the UAE?

The private sector limit is 8 hours a day or 48 a week, under Article 17 of the labour law. However, breaks of at least one hour after five hours do not count towards that total.

How is overtime paid in the UAE?

Overtime pays the basic hourly wage plus at least 25 per cent of it, the u.ae guidance says. Between 10pm and 4am, the premium rises to at least 50 per cent, unless you work shifts.

Are UAE working hours shorter in Ramadan?

Yes. Private sector working hours fall by 2 hours a day while Ramadan lasts, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed in February 2026.

Sources

The u.ae government portal sets out the daily limits, breaks, commuting and overtime rules. Its latest update came in August 2026. The Dubai Development Authority’s summary of the labour law covers the 144-hour cap and rest days.

Khaleej Times reported the Ramadan cut and residents’ views in February 2026. The National covered the 2026 midday break and its fines. Gulf News also listed the exemptions in June 2026.

Founders of UAE (FOUAE) is an independent, digital-first business publication covering the founders, companies and economy of the United Arab Emirates. Follow FOUAE on Instagram and LinkedIn.