Egypt announces October 8 paid holiday for public and private sectors

Egypt has announced that Thursday, October 8, 2026, will be a paid official holiday for both the public and private sectors. This holiday commemorates the Armed Forces Day and the anniversary of the October 6 victories, replacing the original date of Tuesday, October 6, to unify holiday schedules across state sectors.

The Ministry of Labor stated that the holiday applies to all establishments subject to Labor Law No. 14 of 2025. While the holiday is mandatory, employers may require staff to work if production needs dictate. In such cases, employees are entitled to double their daily wage or a substitute day off, provided a written request is submitted.

In line with this, the Central Bank of Egypt has confirmed that banks will be closed on Thursday, October 8. Banking operations and branch services are scheduled to resume on Sunday, October 11, 2026. During the holiday period, customers can still access services via ATMs and electronic banking platforms, including mobile and internet banking.