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Key dates (expected)

1. Early Feb 2027Mosques and Islamic councils usually announce the start close to the date, after moon sighting or by a calendar method. Do not book anything that cannot move until it is confirmed.
2. Mon 8 Feb 2027Expected first day of Ramadan. Some countries and communities may start on Tue 9 Feb.
3. Through Feb and early MarThe month lasts 29 or 30 days. Fasting is from dawn to sunset, so evenings are often busy with meals and prayers.
4. Tue 9 or Wed 10 Mar 2027Expected Eid al-Fitr, the festival that ends Ramadan. Confirmed only the evening before, so Eid plans can change at short notice.

Work

• In Spain, Portugal, France and Germany we did not verify a general legal right to time off for Ramadan or Eid, so do not assume one. Ask your employer or HR what is possible.
• If you are fasting, you can ask about flexible hours, an earlier or later shift, a different lunch break, or working from home on some days. Ask early and be specific: a few weeks before Ramadan is better than the week of.
• For Eid, ask about annual leave or a day swap as soon as the expected date is known, because the exact day is confirmed only shortly before. Say that the date may move by one day.
• Check your contract and any collective agreement for how leave requests work. We list no rules because we read no official source for them.
• If you have a health condition, talk to a doctor about fasting.

Schools

• Rules for school meals, exemptions from sport and time off for Eid differ by country, region and school. We read no official source for them, so we state none.
• Parents: ask the class teacher or the school office early about lunch, PE and an absence for Eid. A short, polite message with the expected dates is usually enough to start the conversation.
• Do not assume your child must fast; that is a family decision. If a child fasts, tell the school so staff know.

Finding iftar and community events

• Mosques and Islamic cultural centres in many cities publish iftar (evening meal) and community event information on their own websites or social pages. Search for your city plus "mosque" or "Islamic centre", and read their own page for hours and rules.
• City cultural centres, university chaplaincies or student societies and interfaith groups sometimes host open iftars where guests of any faith are welcome. Ask the organiser whether guests are welcome and whether there is a registration.
• Going alone is normal. Arrive a little early, introduce yourself, and ask whether to bring anything. Meet & Mint also lists events near you, shown below.

Shops, food and daily life

• Shop and restaurant hours are not set by Ramadan. In general, shops keep their usual hours. We give no opening hours: check the shop's own page.
• In the evening, restaurants and food shops in Muslim neighbourhoods may be busier around sunset. Book ahead if you want a table.
• Halal food is sold in specialist shops and in some supermarkets, depending on the city. Look for the shop's own label and ask the staff if you need to know how it was prepared.
• Sunset and prayer times differ by city and change day by day. Use your local mosque's published timetable. Our site links no sunset tool, so we link none here.
• Eid al-Fitr is not a public holiday in the countries we cover, as far as we know, but we did not verify each country's list: ask your employer or HR, and see our other closed-days guides below for official holiday lists.

Etiquette for colleagues and neighbours

• Ask, do not guess. Many people are happy to explain what helps; others prefer not to talk about it. Follow their lead.
• You may eat and drink in front of a colleague who is fasting; most do not expect otherwise. If you plan a meeting, consider avoiding a lunch meeting or a food-centred team event on days you know a colleague is fasting, or offer an alternative.
• Late-afternoon meetings can be hard for someone fasting. If you can, schedule important talks earlier in the day, and offer flexibility.
• A simple "Ramadan Mubarak" or "Ramadan Kareem" is a kind greeting. For Eid, "Eid Mubarak" is common. A neutral "I hope Ramadan is going well" also works.
• Do not ask whether someone is fasting out of curiosity, and do not comment on their tiredness or on other people's practice. Do not assume that every Muslim colleague fasts or celebrates in the same way.

Plan ahead: checklist

• Late Jan: ask your employer or HR about flexible hours and about leave for Eid; ask the school about meals and absence.
• Early Feb: check the confirmed start with your local mosque or national Islamic council.
• Mid Feb to early Mar: find an iftar or community event near you; for non-Muslim colleagues, ask what would be helpful.
• Early Mar: confirm the Eid date the evening before; keep your leave request flexible by one day.
• If you have a health condition, talk to a doctor about fasting.

Related guides

• What's closed at Easter 2027 (25-29 March)
• What's closed 1-6 January 2027
• First 30 days abroad
• Emergency numbers

Sources

We did not read an official source for the expected dates or for any country's rules. The dates are the expected ones given in widely used astronomical calendars and depend on moon sighting; confirm them with your local mosque or national Islamic council. For rights at work and school rules, ask your employer, HR or school, or the official page of your country.

FAQ

• When does Ramadan 2027 start? It is expected to begin around Monday 8 February 2027, and in some countries on 9 February. The real date depends on moon sighting or the calendar method your community follows. Follow your local mosque or national Islamic council.
• When is Eid al-Fitr 2027? It is expected around Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027, depending on the start of Ramadan and moon sighting. It is usually confirmed the evening before.
• Can I get time off work for Ramadan or Eid? We did not verify a general legal right to time off in Spain, Portugal, France or Germany. Ask your employer or HR early about flexible hours or annual leave for Eid.
• How can I be respectful to a colleague who is fasting? Ask what would help, avoid food-centred meetings and late-afternoon talks if you can, and do not question or comment on their fasting. A simple "Ramadan Mubarak" is welcome.

Checked on 27 October 2026. If you have a health condition, talk to a doctor about fasting. This guide gives no religious rulings and no medical advice.

Also read: First 30 days abroad