Maximum working time in France (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Working time is capped at 10 hours per day, 48 hours in a week and 44 hours on average over 12 weeks. The legal duration of 35 hours per week is the threshold above which hours count as overtime; daily rest is 11 hours and weekly rest 24 hours.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment44 hours [1]
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment10 hours of actual work per employee per day, except with labour inspectorate authorisation, in an emergency, or in cases set by article L3121-19. [2]
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment11 hours [3]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentAt least 24 consecutive hours, in addition to the daily rest. [4]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employmentThe legal working time of full-time employees is 35 hours per week. It is the threshold above which hours count as overtime; it is not a maximum. [5]
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • There is also an absolute limit of 48 hours in any single week (article L3121-20). The 44-hour average applies over any 12 consecutive weeks, with exceptions in articles L3121-23 to L3121-25.
  • The 10-hour limit counts actual work. Exceptions are in the article itself and in article L3121-19.
  • Exceptions are set by articles L3131-2 and L3131-3 or in an emergency.
  • Daily rest and weekly rest are added together, so the usual minimum break is 35 consecutive hours.
  • Hours worked beyond 35 hours per week are overtime and attract extra pay or compensatory rest (article L3121-28). The 35 hours is not a ceiling on hours worked.
  • No source read states whether an individual opt-out from the weekly limit exists.

Sources

  1. Ministère du Travail (code.travail.gouv.fr): Article L3121-22 du Code du travail (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Ministère du Travail (code.travail.gouv.fr): Article L3121-18 du Code du travail (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Ministère du Travail (code.travail.gouv.fr): Article L3131-1 du Code du travail (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Ministère du Travail (code.travail.gouv.fr): Article L3132-2 du Code du travail (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  5. Ministère du Travail (code.travail.gouv.fr): Article L3121-27 du Code du travail (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.