What Are The Public Holidays in Jordan in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Jordan (2026)

Jordan’s public holidays combine fixed national dates and Islamic religious holidays that follow the lunar calendar. Islamic holiday dates below are based on current astronomical projections for 2026 and will be confirmed by the Jordanian government closer to the time.

Islamic holidays in Jordan are declared by the government based on moon‑sighting, so your final 2026 holiday calendar should follow official announcements from the Prime Ministry.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, Jordanian labour law generally treats official public holidays as paid days off for employees who normally work on those days. For full‑time staff on a standard schedule, you should pay their regular wage for each official holiday without requiring them to use annual leave. Part‑time and shift‑based employees are usually entitled to paid holiday time if the holiday falls on a day they are normally scheduled to work, or to the equivalent paid hours under their contract.

If your business needs employees to work on a public holiday, Jordanian practice is to provide premium pay in addition to the normal wage, often at least 150% of the basic rate or the normal wage plus an agreed supplement, and in some cases a compensatory day off. The exact entitlement should follow the Labour Law, any applicable collective agreement, and the employee’s contract. When a public holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday weekend, the government may declare an alternative observed day; in that case, treat the announced observed day as the paid holiday for your workforce.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failure to respect official public holidays in Jordan can expose your company to administrative penalties and labour disputes. The Ministry of Labour is the main enforcement authority and can investigate complaints, inspect records, and impose fines where employers do not grant paid public holidays or do not pay the correct premium for work performed on those days. Employees may also bring claims before the labour courts for unpaid wages, premium pay, or compensation for unlawful practices.

Common mistakes include treating public holidays as unpaid leave, forcing employees to use annual leave instead of recognising the holiday, or paying only the basic rate when staff work on an official holiday. Repeated or intentional violations can increase the risk of higher fines, back‑pay awards, and reputational damage. To stay compliant, keep clear written policies, track attendance and hours on holidays, and align your internal rules with the latest government circulars announcing official holidays.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Jordan, work performed on an official public holiday is typically treated more strictly than ordinary overtime. Even if an employee has not exceeded their normal weekly hours, hours worked on a public holiday are usually compensated at a premium rate above the standard overtime rate, reflecting the special status of the day. Where an employee both exceeds normal daily or weekly limits and works on a holiday, you should apply the higher applicable premium and ensure total pay is at least equal to the legal minimum for holiday work.

Because Islamic holidays can extend over several days and may be announced with short notice, you should plan staffing early and confirm final dates once the government issues its decisions. For part‑time or shift workers, calculate overtime and holiday premiums based on their contracted hours and agreed rate, and document any alternative arrangements, such as granting a paid day off in lieu, in writing. When in doubt, follow the more generous interpretation to reduce the risk of disputes and show good‑faith compliance.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Managing Jordan’s mix of fixed and lunar‑based holidays can be tricky, especially if you are coordinating teams across multiple countries. Playroll helps you stay ahead of changing holiday dates, government announcements, and local labour rules so you can schedule confidently and pay your Jordan‑based employees correctly.

With Playroll, you can centralise your global holiday calendars, automatically reflect Jordanian public holidays in your scheduling and payroll, and apply the right pay rules when employees work on those days. Our local experts track updates from the Jordanian government and the Ministry of Labour, so you do not have to chase last‑minute circulars or worry about missing a newly declared holiday.

Whether you are hiring your first employee in Amman or scaling a larger Jordanian team, Playroll gives you clear visibility into paid holiday entitlements, overtime premiums, and observed days. You get compliant contracts, accurate payslips, and real‑time support on how to handle Ramadan hours, Eid holidays, and other local nuances. That way, your managers can focus on running the business while Playroll keeps your leave and holiday compliance on track.