On average, employeesin Germany have some of the shortest working hours in Europe. Couple this with high productivity levels, and it seems that Germans strike an ideal work-life balance. The page looks at working hours, overtime and related regulations in Germany.
Full-time work in Germany
The average working week in Germany is between 36 and 40 hours. The majority of full-time jobs in Germany are seven or eight hours a day, five days a week, with an hour or 30 minutes’ break at lunchtime.
Some companies may operate a longer working week, but compensate their employees with a higher salary or additional annual holiday leave. Self-employed workers often work more than 48 hours per week.
Part-time work in Germany
Anyone working in Germany for less than 30 hours per week is considered a part-time employee. Once you have been at your company for six months, you have the right to request a reduction to your weekly working hours (as long as the company employs more than 15 people).
Part-time work is becoming more popular, as freelancing and job-sharing become more prevalent. The generous provisionin Germany for parental allowancealso combines well with part-time work. In 2018, Germany’s biggest metalwork union won a legal battle to be granted the right to a 28-hour week.
Legal limits to working hours in Germany
In Germany there are strict legal limits on working hours: you are not permitted to work more than eight hours per day. The working week runs from Monday to Saturday, and employees must not work more than 48 hours per week. This can be extended to 10hours per day, if within six months (or 24 weeks) the overall average working time does not exceed eight hours per day.
Work on Sundays and public holidays is largely prohibited, except for workers in the service industry. Work on Sundays must be compensated by corresponding time off within the following two weeks.
If you work between six and nine hours you are entitled to a 30-minute break, which you can also split into two breaks of 15 minutes. If you work more than nine hours, you are entitled to a 45-minute break after six hours of work. You must receive a break of more than 11 hours between work shifts.
Working overtime in Germany
Overtime work must also conform to the maximum working hours specified above (i.e. no more than 60 hours a week, averaging out to 48 hours over a 6-month period). Overtime will usually be compensated with time off in lieu, although some companies will pay for any overtime hours worked.
Your right to compensation for hours worked overtime will be specified in your employment contract. Some companies maintain that a small amount of overtime is a normal part of the job and will not provide additional remuneration.
If you have any concerns with the amount of (unpaid) overtime you are working, it is best to speak with your employer. You might also consider consulting with a lawyer.
Flexible hours in Germany
Many companies in Germany will allow you to work flexibly rather than sticking rigidly to the standard working day. This might include:
- Working from home
- Working longer days in exchange for days off
- Time off in lieu
FAQs
An average working week in Germany as a full-time employee is between 36 and 40 hours, with working days in Germany between 7 and 8 hours. A full-time employee in Germany has an average working week of 40 hours. University students can also work during their studies but the requirements are different.
What are full day hours in Germany? ›
Standard hours in Germany
Monday to Saturday are considered the legal working days, but most employees typically work from Monday to Friday. Workdays usually start between 8-9 am and finish between 5-6 pm.
Does Germany have a 32 hour work week? ›
Germany is already home to one of the shortest average working weeks in Europe. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the average working week is 34.2 hours.
Can I work 40 hours a week in Germany? ›
As a matter of principle, an employment contract contains compulsory information about working hours. A full-time job in Germany usually comprises between 35 and 40 hours each week. You may not work more than 48 hours each week ac- cording to the German Working Hours Act.
Can you work 10 hours a day in Germany? ›
The average working hours in Germany is 8 hours per day. This can be extended to up to 10 hours per day for a short period. A rest period of 11 hours is normally prescribed between 2 shifts.
What is the normal salary in Germany? ›
8. Comparison with Other Countries
| Country | Average Gross Monthly Salary (EUR) | Average Net Monthly Salary (EUR) |
|---|
| Germany | 3,500 – 3,800 | 2,200 – 2,600 |
| Switzerland | 5,000 – 6,000 | 4,000 – 5,000 |
| Luxembourg | 4,000 – 4,500 | 3,000 – 3,500 |
| United States | 3,800 – 4,200 | 2,800 – 3,300 |
3 more rowsSomething that's illegal is working on Sundays or national holidays. This means that an average working week runs from Monday to Saturday (in office jobs rather Friday). It won't take you long to realise that Sundays are absolute rest days in Germany - and that you won't even be able to do your groceries.
Is it illegal to work on Sunday in Germany? ›
Work on Sundays and public holidays is generally prohibited. There are exceptions available for workers in the service industry. However, work on Sundays has to be compensated for by corresponding time off within the next two weeks (or eight weeks in the case of work on public holidays).
Is Germany trying a 4-day work week? ›
Germany is the latest country to introduce a four-day workweek trial, Euronews reported. The experiment began on Feb. 1, with 45 companies, and will last six months. Businesses in Germany have recently been impacted by financial uncertainty, worker shortages, and decreased productivity.
Do Germans work 4 days a week? ›
Legal working days in Germany are from Monday to Saturday, but for most workers, a standard work week is from 8 or 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
The majority of full-time jobs in Germany are seven or eight hours a day, five days a week, with an hour or 30 minutes' break at lunchtime. Some companies may operate a longer working week, but compensate their employees with a higher salary or additional annual holiday leave.
What country has the shortest work week? ›
Kiribati in the Pacific was the country with the lowest average weekly working hours per employee in 2022, with the most recent value showing that the population of Kiribati worked on average less than 28 hours per week. Second came Vanuatu at nearly 29 hours per week, with Micronesia following in third.
How many vacation days are there in Germany? ›
According to the Federal Holidays Act, all employees in Germany with a 5-day week are entitled to a minimum of 20 vacation days per year.
What time is dinner in Germany? ›
The typical meals are divided in a rather copious breakfast (6 am – 8 am), lunch (12 pm – 2 pm) and dinner (6 pm – 8 pm). Breakfast usually consists of bread that can be topped with cheese, cold cuts, jam, honey, Nutella etc., if you prefer something salty.
Do night shifts pay more in Germany? ›
If you work night shifts, you are entitled to additional paid leave or a pay supplement (at least 25 %). According to the Working Time Act, the night shift generally lasts between 23:00 and 6:00. The Working Time Act also stipulates that you are entitled to a 30 minute break after 6 hours of continuous work.
What are quiet hours in Germany? ›
When are the quiet hours in Germany? When it comes to Sundays and public holidays, Germans set more store than ever by quiet hours: this is when you should stick to an all-day rest. During the week and on Saturdays, the quiet hours in Germany are usually between 10 pm and 6 am.
Does 40 hours include lunch in Germany? ›
Your shifts have to have pre-scheduled breaks of at least 30 minutes if you are working 6-9 hours or 45 minutes when working more. So most Germans work 40h weeks (5 weekdays with 8 hours of work and 30 minutes of lunch break each day). You are not allowed to skip the break.
Do Europeans work 9 to 5? ›
Across the world, the average business day varies. In the USA and much of Western Europe, the average working week is 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, in Japan, the average business day runs from 8.30 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. However, in Saudi Arabia, the workweek starts on Sunday at 8 am.
Does Germany have a four-day work week? ›
The days are getting longer, and for some workers in Germany, the weekends are getting longer too. Where in the world? Germany is the latest country to introduce a four-day workweek trial, Euronews reported. The experiment began on Feb.
What are school day hours in Germany? ›
Lessons start between 7:30 and 8 am. At primary school they finish at 11 or 12. In the other schools, classes mostly continue until 1 pm, sometimes longer. There are also all-day schools, where they have lessons until about 4 pm.
