Qatar Central Bank Announces New Year Holiday

  • Publish date: since 3 hours Reading time: 1 min read

Year-end closing holiday announced to align with official public holiday schedule and give financial sector staff a break.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has announced that Thursday, January 1, 2026, will be an official holiday for all banks and financial institutions across the country, marking the year-end closing holiday for the sector. 

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In its statement, the central bank said the move follows provisions set out in Amiri Decree No. (57) of 2025, which defines official working days, national occasions, and public holidays in the State of Qatar. 

Financial institutions regulated by the QCB — including commercial banks, exchange houses and related entities — will observe the holiday on January 1, with normal operations resuming on Sunday, January 4, 2026. 

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The year-end closing holiday for the financial sector is intended to provide staff with time off at the start of the new calendar year, as well as allow institutions to complete administrative and accounting procedures at the close of the fiscal period. 

Customers of banks and financial service providers are advised to plan their transactions in advance of the holiday. While branch services will be paused, digital and mobile banking platforms are generally expected to remain available for routine online transactions during the break. 

The QCB’s announcement aligns with longstanding practice in Qatar’s financial sector and with the broader national calendar of recognized holidays established by the government.