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Working hours in Kuwait, including Ramadan
Standard hours are 8 per day and 48 per week, reduced to 36 per week in Ramadan.
Quick answer: The standard private-sector week in Kuwait is up to 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. During Ramadan it is reduced to 36 hours a week.
Normal hours
- Up to 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week.
- A rest break of at least an hour is required after 5 consecutive hours.
- A paid weekly rest of 24 hours after 6 working days.
Ramadan
- Working hours are reduced to 36 hours per week, about 6 hours a day.
Overtime
Article 66 sets overtime limits of two hours per day, three days per week, 90 days per year and 180 hours per year in the published text, with at least a 25% premium over the ordinary rate. Work on a weekly rest day or official holiday has separate compensation rules under Articles 67 and 68. Confirm current instructions for your job category.Not legal advice. This is an unofficial summary. Rules, fees and eligibility can change, and your contract may give you more. Confirm with your employer, the Public Authority for Manpower, PACI or a licensed lawyer.
Official sources to confirm with
- PACI (Public Authority for Civil Information)
- Ministry of Interior
- Official Kuwait Private Sector Labour Law No. 6/2010 (English PDF)
- Skuad: Kuwait labor law
- SafeGuard Global: Kuwait
- Atlas: Kuwait
- ILO NATLEX: Kuwait Private Sector Labour Law No. 6/2010
- 3 Nov 2026: reviewed against published sources; added official references.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a work week in Kuwait?
Up to 48 hours a week, with a maximum of 8 hours a day.
What are Ramadan hours?
Reduced to 36 hours per week.