Maximum working time by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Statutory limits on weekly and daily working time, rest periods and, where stated, the normal full-time week. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Maximum average weekly working time | Maximum daily working time | Minimum daily rest | Minimum weekly rest | Normal full-time working week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | ⚠ Not yet verified | 8 h/day; up to 10 h if averaged | 11 h | No work Sundays 0:00-24:00 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Netherlands | 48 h avg over 16 weeks | 12 h per shift | 11 h (8 h once a week) | 36 h per week or 72 h per 14 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| United Kingdom | Employees (adults) in general employment, Great Britain: 48 h avg over 17 weeks | Employees (adults) in general employment, Great Britain: ⚠ Not yet verified | Employees (adults) in general employment, Great Britain: 11 h | Employees (adults) in general employment, Great Britain: 24 h per week or 48 h per 14 days | Employees (adults) in general employment, Great Britain: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| France | 44 h avg over 12 weeks | 10 h per day | 11 h | 24 h, plus daily rest | 35 h legal duration (overtime threshold) |
| Spain | ⚠ Not yet verified | 9 h ordinary work per day | 12 h between shifts | 1.5 days per week | 40 h avg per year (ordinary) |
| Italy | 48 h avg incl. overtime, 4 months | ⚠ Not yet verified | 11 h | 24 h per 7 days (avg over 14) | 40 h normal working week |
| Ireland | 48 h avg over 4 months | ⚠ Not yet verified | 11 h | 24 h per week or 2 x 24 h in next 7 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Australia | Employees (adults) in general employment, National system: ⚠ Not yet verified | Employees (adults) in general employment, National system: ⚠ Not yet verified | Employees (adults) in general employment, National system: ⚠ Not yet verified | Employees (adults) in general employment, National system: ⚠ Not yet verified | Employees (adults) in general employment, National system: 38 hours a week plus reasonable additional hours |
| Poland | 48 h avg incl. overtime | 8 h a day (up to 12 h in equivalent system) | 11 h | 35 h per week | 40 h average over the settlement period |
| Portugal | 48 h average, incl. overtime | Normal working time may not exceed 8 hours a day (article 203(1)); the daily normal period may be raised by up to 4 hours for work done only on days of rest, and collective agreements or the adaptability and time-bank regimes (articles 204 to 210) can change the distribution. | 11 h | At least 1 day a week | 40 h normal working time |
| Belgium | 38 h (40 h effective in principle) | 8 h (9-10 h in set cases) | 11 h | 35 h consecutive per week | 38 hours |
| Sweden | 48 h avg over up to 4 months | ⚠ Not yet verified | 11 h | 36 h per 7 days | 40 h ordinary week |
| Austria | 48 h avg over 17 weeks | 8 h normal, 12 h maximum | 11 h | 36 h incl. Sunday | 40 h normal week |
| Greece | 48 h avg incl. overtime, 4 months | 9 h (5-day week), 8 h (6-day week) | 11 h | 24 h, plus daily rest | 40 h normal week; 45/48 h legal maximum |
| Denmark | 48 h avg over 4 months | ⚠ Not yet verified | 11 h (8 h in special cases) | One rest day per 7 days (normally 35 h) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Czechia | ⚠ Not yet verified | Shift up to 12 h | 11 h | 35 h per week | 40 h a week |
| Hungary | ⚠ Not yet verified | Up to 12 h a day | 11 h | 2 rest days or 48 h a week | 8 h a day |
| Finland | 48 h avg over 4 months | 8 h regular day | 11 h | 35 h per 7 days | 40 h regular week |
| Norway | 48 h avg over 8 weeks (incl. overtime) | 9 h ordinary; 13 h total incl. overtime | 11 h | 35 h per 7 days | 40 h ordinary week |
| Romania | 48 h avg incl. overtime | 8 h a day (12 h possible, then 24 h rest) | 12 h | 48 h per week | 40 h a week |
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules. Regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.