Maximum working time in Germany (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: The Working Hours Act sets 8 hours per working day, extendable to 10 hours within a 6-month or 24-week average, with 11 hours of daily rest and no work on Sundays and public holidays. A weekly figure and a statutory full-time week are not stated in the sections checked.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment8 hours per working day (Werktag). It may be extended to 10 hours only if the average stays at 8 hours per working day within 6 calendar months or 24 weeks. [1]
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment11 hours [2]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentEmployees may not be employed on Sundays and public holidays from 0:00 to 24:00 (exceptions in §§ 10 to 13 ArbZG). [3]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The Working Hours Act states the limit per working day (Monday to Saturday) and averages it over 24 weeks or 6 months. A 48-hour weekly average appears only in the provisions on deviations (section 7(8), section 14(3)), so no single weekly maximum is stated here.
  • The extension to 10 hours is allowed only within the averaging period. Collective agreements and emergencies allow deviations (sections 7 and 14).
  • The rest period may be shortened by up to one hour in hospitals, restaurants, transport, broadcasting and agriculture if made up within a month or four weeks (section 5(2)).
  • At least 15 Sundays a year must be free of work (section 11). Employees who work on a Sunday get a substitute rest day.
  • The Working Hours Act sets limits but no statutory full-time week; the sections checked state none.
  • No source read states whether an individual opt-out from the weekly limit exists.

Sources

  1. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 3 ArbZG - Einzelnorm (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 5 ArbZG - Einzelnorm (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 9 ArbZG - Einzelnorm (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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