2025 Holidays - Afghanistan
| Name | Weekday | Date | Type | Subdivisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberation Day | Saturday | Feb. 15, 2025 | National | All |
| Ramadan * | Saturday | March 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid al-Fitr * | Monday | March 31, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday * | Tuesday | April 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday * | Wednesday | April 2, 2025 | National | All |
| Mujahideen Victory Day | Monday | April 28, 2025 | National | All |
| Labour Day | Thursday | May 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Day of Arafa * | Friday | June 6, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha * | Saturday | June 7, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha Holiday * | Sunday | June 8, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha Holiday * | Monday | June 9, 2025 | National | All |
| Ashura * | Sunday | July 6, 2025 | National | All |
| Victory of the Islamic Emirate | Friday | Aug. 15, 2025 | National | All |
| Independence Day | Tuesday | Aug. 19, 2025 | National | All |
| Anniversary of the Withdrawal of Foreign Troops | Sunday | Aug. 31, 2025 | National | All |
| Eid Milad-un-Nabi * | Friday | Sept. 5, 2025 | National | All |
* Estimated holiday dates
We continuously monitor and update holiday information, but there may be occasional inaccuracies.
Afghanistan workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend | Workday |
Afghanistan Public Holiday Observance Rules
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
- Afghanistan follows a Friday-Saturday weekend system, meaning that Friday is a mandatory non-working day.
- If a public holiday falls on a Friday, it remains on that day without a replacement holiday.
- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no official rule for substitution, but some government institutions may observe it on Sunday instead.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- There are no official substitution rules for holidays falling on Saturdays.
- Some businesses and private institutions may shift the observance to Sunday, but this is not standardized.
3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Friday
- Since Friday is already a non-working day, public holidays that fall on this day are not moved to another day.
- People generally observe the holiday as usual, but there is no additional compensatory leave.
4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- Afghanistan does not have an official system of bridge holidays.
- However, during major Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura), extended breaks are common, lasting up to several days, depending on government announcements.
- Some private employers and institutions may extend public holidays to create long weekends, especially during religious observances.
5. Special Cases for Public Holidays
- Islamic Calendar Holidays: Many Afghan public holidays are based on the Islamic lunar calendar, meaning their dates shift each year.
- Nowruz (Persian New Year, March 21st): Widely celebrated, but its recognition as an official public holiday has fluctuated in recent years.
- Eid Holidays: The government typically announces official holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha closer to their dates, and the actual holiday duration may vary.
- Independence Day (August 19th): A major national holiday, but observance varies depending on the political situation.
6. Additional Notes
- Afghanistan's government announces public holidays on an annual basis, often adjusting the official holiday schedule based on current events.
- Private-sector businesses and international organizations in Afghanistan may have different holiday policies, particularly if they operate under different working week structures (e.g., Monday-Friday instead of Saturday-Thursday).
- There is no clear labor law regarding compensation for employees working on public holidays—practices depend on individual employer policies.