What Are The Public Holidays in Egypt in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Egypt (2026)

Egypt’s public holidays combine fixed national dates and Islamic religious holidays based on the lunar calendar. The list below reflects the main national public holidays widely observed in 2026, but note that the government may adjust some dates or move observance to Thursdays for long weekends.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, Egyptian labor law generally requires employers to provide paid leave on official public holidays for employees covered by the Labor Law. Public holidays are set at the national level, so your company applies the same list across all governorates, unless a specific sectoral rule or free‑zone regulation says otherwise. When the government announces that a holiday will be observed on a different working day (often a Thursday), you should follow the officially declared observance date for paid leave purposes.

Full‑time employees are typically entitled to their normal daily wage for public holidays. Part‑time employees and those on variable schedules are usually paid based on their agreed wage structure and hours, so you should align holiday pay with their average working pattern and any contractual terms. If your employees are required to work on a public holiday, they are generally entitled to their normal wage plus premium pay, often at least double the normal wage for the holiday hours, or an alternative paid day off, depending on the applicable law, collective agreement, or company policy. Because practice can vary by sector, it is safest to document your holiday rules clearly in employment contracts and your internal policies.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failing to grant paid public holidays or the correct premium pay when employees work on those days can expose your company to administrative penalties and back‑pay claims. The Ministry of Manpower is the primary enforcement authority and can investigate complaints, inspect records, and order corrective action. Courts may also award employees unpaid wages, premium pay differentials, and in some cases compensation for wrongful practices.

Common employer mistakes include treating public holidays as unpaid leave, misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid holiday obligations, and failing to follow government announcements that move the observance date. Another frequent issue is inconsistent treatment of part‑time or probationary employees, even though they may still be entitled to paid holidays under the law or their contracts. To reduce risk, keep clear records of working hours, holiday schedules, and pay calculations, and ensure your local HR or payroll provider tracks official government decrees on holiday observance.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Egypt, work performed on an official public holiday is generally treated as work on a rest day and attracts higher‑than‑normal pay. Employees who work on a public holiday are usually entitled to their normal wage plus a premium rate for the hours worked, which is often at least double the standard wage or a combination of premium pay and a substitute paid day off, depending on the applicable legal provisions and any collective agreements. These holiday hours are typically counted separately from ordinary weekly overtime thresholds, so you should track them distinctly in your timekeeping system.

Because Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and may shift by a day depending on official moon‑sighting, you should be ready to adjust schedules and overtime planning at short notice. When the government moves a holiday to create a long weekend, treat the newly declared observance day as the public holiday for overtime and premium pay purposes. To stay compliant, align your payroll rules with the latest Ministry of Manpower guidance and ensure your employment contracts and internal policies clearly explain how holiday work and overtime are calculated.

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