Maximum working time in Greece (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: The contractual working week is 40 hours (8 hours a day on a 5-day week). The statutory limit is 45 hours on a 5-day week and 48 on a 6-day week, and the weekly average including overtime may not exceed 48 hours over four months. Daily rest is 11 hours and weekly rest 24 hours.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment | 48 hours [1] |
| Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment | Statutory daily working time is 9 hours on a 5-day week and 8 hours on a 6-day week. Overtime is capped at 4 hours a day and 150 hours a year. [1] |
| Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment | 11 hours [1] |
| Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employment | At least 24 consecutive hours a week, normally including Sunday, in addition to the 11 hours of daily rest. With a 5-day working week employees are entitled to two days of weekly rest. [1] |
| Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employment | The contractual working week is 40 hours (8 hours a day on a 5-day week and 6 hours 40 minutes on a 6-day week), set by the 1984 national collective agreement and Law 4808/2021 art. 55. The statutory maximum is 45 hours on a 5-day week and 48 hours on a 6-day week. [1] |
| Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The four-month average includes overtime. Hours 41 to 45 on a 5-day week (41 to 48 on a 6-day week) are paid at the hourly rate plus 20%; hours beyond 45 (48) are overtime paid plus 40%.
- Daily limits are those the Ministry gives as the statutory daily working time. Working-time arrangements by agreement can raise daily hours to 10 on a 5-day week (Law 1892/1990 art. 41).
- Required in every 24-hour period (Presidential Decree 88/1999 art. 3).
- The Ministry page read does not say whether an individual opt-out from the weekly limit exists.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Greece): Χρονικά Όρια Εργασίας (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.