Saudi Arabia’s banks, financial institutions, and payment service providers will observe an official closure for Eid Al-Fitr 1447H from Tuesday, March 17, 2026, through Monday, March 23, 2026, according to the official holiday schedule published by the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA.
A Seven-Day Window for the Financial Sector
The closure, spanning seven days, covers all banks and financial institutions licensed by SAMA, as well as the Saudi Arabian Riyal Interbank Express System, commonly referred to as RTGS. For RTGS operations specifically, the suspension of interbank transfers runs from Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, a slightly narrower window that aligns with the core days of the Eid celebration.
The schedule is part of a comprehensive four-year holiday calendar released by SAMA in September 2025, covering official banking closures from 2026 through 2029. The advance notice was designed to give financial institutions, businesses, and individuals sufficient time to plan transactions and manage cash flow around the holiday periods. With Eid Al-Fitr now less than a week away, the closure period is drawing increased attention from banking customers, particularly those who need to complete transfers or transactions before the holiday begins.
Ramadan Banking Hours and Seasonal Branches
During the remaining days of Ramadan, banks serving clients are operating on reduced hours, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Remittance centers and payment service providers are maintaining flexible six-hour shifts between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM. SAMA has instructed all institutions to ensure essential services remain accessible to customers as the holy month draws to a close.
The central bank has also directed financial institutions to keep seasonal and additional branches open in high-demand areas during the holiday period. This includes branches located at airports, seaports, and border crossings, as well as residential districts expected to see elevated foot traffic during Eid. Branch names and specific operating hours are to be announced publicly by each institution in advance of the holiday.
Looking Ahead: Future Eid Schedules Through 2029
Beyond the current year, SAMA’s multi-year calendar maps out banking closures for successive Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays. For Eid Al-Adha 2026, banks are scheduled to close from Sunday, May 24, through Thursday, May 28. National Day on September 23 and Founding Day on February 22 are also confirmed as annual official holidays for the banking sector, with provisions for shifts when those dates fall on Fridays or Saturdays.
The transparency of the four-year forward schedule reflects SAMA’s commitment to maintaining confidence in the Kingdom’s financial infrastructure. By publishing holiday dates well in advance, the central bank enables businesses and individuals to plan accordingly while ensuring that the sector operates with full clarity around service availability throughout the year’s major seasonal periods.
