Maximum working time in Spain (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Ordinary working time is 40 hours per week on average over a year and 9 hours per day unless an agreement says otherwise. There must be 12 hours between shifts and one and a half days of weekly rest.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment9 hours of ordinary effective work per day, unless a collective agreement or company-employee agreement sets a different daily distribution. [1]
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment12 hours [1]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentA minimum weekly rest of one and a half days, uninterrupted, which may be accumulated over periods of up to 14 days. [1]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employmentThe maximum ordinary working time is 40 hours of effective work per week on average over a year. [1]
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The Workers' Statute sets ordinary working time (40 hours on average over a year) and caps overtime separately. A maximum average weekly time including overtime was not read in the articles checked.
  • The 9-hour limit applies to ordinary work. Workers under 18 may not work more than 8 hours per day (article 34(3)).
  • Workers under 18 have different rules in the Workers' Statute.
  • Workers under 18 are entitled to two uninterrupted days. The rest generally covers Saturday afternoon or Monday morning and the whole of Sunday.
  • The 40 hours is the maximum ordinary working time, as an annual average. Collective agreements or contracts set the actual working day within this limit.
  • No source read states whether an individual opt-out from the weekly limit exists.

Sources

  1. Boletín Oficial del Estado: Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2015, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores (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.