Maximum working time in Italy (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Average working time may not exceed 48 hours per seven days including overtime, calculated over up to 4 months (longer by collective agreement). The normal working week is 40 hours, with 11 hours of daily rest and 24 hours of weekly rest.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment48 hours [1]
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment11 hours [2]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentAt least 24 consecutive hours every seven days, usually on Sunday, and combined with the daily rest. The period may be calculated as an average over up to 14 days. [3]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employmentThe normal working time is set at 40 hours per week. Collective agreements may set a shorter period and may refer the 40 hours to an average over a period of up to one year. [4]
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The averaging period is at most 4 months. Collective agreements may extend it to 6 months, or to 12 months for objective, technical or organisational reasons (article 4(3) and (4)).
  • The decree gives no direct figure for a maximum number of hours per day in the articles read, only the 11 hours of daily rest.
  • The rest must be taken consecutively, with exceptions such as split working periods.
  • Exceptions exist for shift work, split working hours and certain other activities, and collective agreements may set different terms.
  • The 40 hours is the normal working time (orario normale). Overtime hours count towards the 48-hour average.
  • No source read states whether an individual opt-out from the weekly limit exists.

Sources

  1. Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato): Decreto legislativo 8 aprile 2003, n. 66, art. 4 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato): Decreto legislativo 8 aprile 2003, n. 66, art. 7 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato): Decreto legislativo 8 aprile 2003, n. 66, art. 9 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato): Decreto legislativo 8 aprile 2003, n. 66, art. 3 (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.