Key Highlights
- What are the Standard German Working Hours in 2025?
- How Many Hours Can Students Work in Germany in 2025?
- What Are the Typical Office Working Hours in Germany in 2025?
- What Are the Current Trends in German Working Hour Policies?
- What Overtime Regulations Apply in German Workplaces in 2025?
- How Are Working Hours Monitored and Recorded?
- The Rise of Flexible Work Models in Germany (Gleitzeit & More)
- Conclusion
Germany Working Hours: A Complete Guide to Legal Requirements and Workplace Practices
Germany has some of the most employee-friendly Germany working hours laws in Europe, the normal Germany working hours of 40hours, usually divided by five days a week, Monday to Friday, 8-9 AM to 4-5 PM. The German Working Time Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) strictly restricts daily Germany working hours per week (with an exception of ten hours in certain circumstances) and provides for minimum hours and breaks between shifts. The working hours in Germany for student are allowed to work no more than 140 full days or 280 half days in a year (not more than 20 hours per week within a semester), whereas EU working hours in Germany for student are the same working rights as German citizens. Latest attempts by the government suggest that the number of hourly restrictions imposed daily should be changed to more flexible ones per week, in accordance with the standards of the European Working Time directive.
What are the Standard German Working Hours in 2025?
The average working week in Germany is 40 hours worked in five days; normally five days a week, with Monday to Friday as the working days. The majority of full-time workers have 36-40 hours of working experience weekly, and the national average is 34.3 hours per week of all employed individuals as of 2023. This puts Germany at a lower position of 36.0 hours/week than the European Union average of 36.0 hours/week.
In the German labour law, the working days are considered to be Monday to Saturday, although most companies work on a five-day schedule. The normal Germany working hours per week in the office working hours in Germany are usually 8-9 AM to 4-5 PM, although these may be flexible based on the industry and employer. A full-time degree of work usually involves 35-40 hours a week, whereas part-time work is legally considered less than 30 hours a week.
Industry-Specific Working Hour Variations
This table illustrates the variation in average weekly working hours in Germany across different German sectors, providing a clear comparison of the typical workweek in each industry.
|
Industry |
Average Weekly Hours |
|
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries |
39.9 |
|
Construction |
37.6 |
|
Manufacturing |
36.3 |
|
Information and communication |
35.4 |
|
Financial and insurance |
35.2 |
|
Human health and social work |
31.6 |
|
Education |
29.6 |
How many hours do the German Laws say should be the maximum number of working hours a day?
The German Working Time Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) has set strict limits on the number of hours to work per day to ensure the health and safety of its employees. On the regular working days (Monday through Saturday), the maximum working hours in a particular day are eight hours.
In an extraordinary case, the daily Germany working hours per week may be raised to ten hours per day; however, the mean daily working schedule should not exceed eight hours per day for six months or 24 weeks. This extension must be monitored keenly to make sure that there is no violation of the averaging requirement.
The time of work is determined as the time between the start and the end of the day's work, without the possibility of taking breaks. Companies that go against such rules are fined up to 15000 euros each. The law requires that employers have the duty to document Germany working hours per week that are more than eight hours, which they must have within a period of two years.
Also Read: Work Permit: All You Need To Know To Work Abroad
How Many Hours Can Students Work in Germany in 2025?
Working hours in Germany for student have a lot to do with nationality and visa status. The maximum number of full days or half days that non-EU students can work per year is 140 and 280, respectively, and this is equal to approximately 20 hours a week during the academic semester. Let’s know more about student working hours in Germany!
Non-EU working hours in Germany for student are calculated in the following way:
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One full day = 8 hours of work
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One half day = 4 hours of work
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Alternative computation: no more than 2.5 days per week.
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Unlimited Germany working hours per week are allowed during semester breaks and holidays.
The working hours in Germany for student have the freedom to work as much as German citizens do, and this means they can work up to 20 hours in case of a semester without any restrictions on the number of days per year. EU and non-EU student working hours in Germany are free during the academic breaks and holidays.
Students who have a desire to work more than these restrictions are required to seek a special work permit at the foreigner office during working hours in Germany and the Federal Employment Agency. Internships required as part of the degree programs are not included in the limits of the number of hours per week. Let’s know more about student working hours in Germany!
What Are the Required Break Times and Rest Periods?
German labour law specifies the requirement of breaks that will guarantee the well-being of the employees. Employees who work 6-9 hours a day should be given at least 30 minutes of break, and those who work above 9 hours should be given not less than 45 minutes of break time.
Some of the important break rules are:
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There should be no worker who works over six hours straight without a break.
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Breaks should be experienced not later than six hours of work.
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The maximum duration of the minimum separations between the break parts should be at least 15 minutes.
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It is impossible to schedule breaks either at the beginning or end of the working day.
-
Employers normally determine the time of breaks, but with the interests of the employee in mind.
Also, each worker should be given at least 11 hours of continuous rest time between the completion of the shift on a working day and the start of the next day. This period of rest is compulsory and cannot be minimised in an ordinary situation.
What Are the Typical Office Working Hours in Germany in 2025?
This table provides a snapshot of what standard office working hours in Germany often look like, though it can vary significantly based on company culture and the use of flexible work models.
|
Aspect |
Typical Practice |
|
Start Time |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
|
Lunch Break |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Unpaid, typically 30-60 minutes) |
|
End Time |
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
|
Work Week |
Monday to Friday (5 days) |
|
Total Hours |
35-40 hours per week |
|
Flexibility |
Many companies offer "Gleitzeit" (flextime), allowing employees to choose their start and end times within a mandatory "core time" (e.g., 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM). |
Most of the German companies provide flexible work hours (Gleitzeit), which gives employees the opportunity to decide their working start and finish time within specific conditions, but with core hours, when all employees are required to work. This flexibility helps in work-life balance, and at the same time, business operations will go on normally.
German offices are usually more relaxed on Fridays in the afternoon, and some companies give shorter hours or a more relaxed environment. On Sundays, working is mostly not allowed except in certain industries that are legally allowed.
How Do German Working Hours Compare Internationally?
Germany has comparatively moderate Germany working hours per week compared to the rest of the developed countries. The average of 34.3hours per week among all the employees in Germany is lower than the European Union average of 36.0hours.
It compares with other countries around the world:
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Germany 34.3 hours/week.
-
Netherlands: 32.1 (shortest in EU)
-
Denmark: 33.9 hours
-
European Union average: 36.0 hours.
-
Greece: 39.8 hours (longest in EU)
-
United Kingdom: 42.9 hours
In Germany, annual Germany working hours have been estimated at 1,778 hours per year for full-time employees, which makes it one of the nations with the fewest Germany working hours in the world. This is based on the fact that Germany has an impressive work-life balance and employee protection, which is covered by complete labour laws.
What Are the Current Trends in German Working Hour Policies?
There is a lot of debate in Germany regarding the updating of working time laws. It has also been suggested by the current coalition government to replace maximum daily working hours in Germany with Germany working hours in a week, and this is in line with the European Working Time Directive.
Proposed Changes Include:
-
Introducing a maximum number of hours worked per week of 48 hours instead of 8 hours a day.
-
10 hours a day, provided that weekly limits are not exceeded.
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The 11-hour inter-shift rest period should be maintained.
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No impact on the existing collective bargaining agreements.
Four-Day Work Week Trials
Germany has recently finished its pilot program of a four-day work week with 45 companies. It was demonstrated by the six-month trial, which started in September 2023, that brought promising results in terms of productivity and employee well-being. Although they are not yet a popular practice, these trials are a sign of the increasing popularity of alternative work arrangements.
The current reforms on the number of working hours in Germany are still contentious, with 38 per cent of the population in favour of the suggested reforms, 20 per cent against them, and 37 per cent of the population being indifferent to the changes, as per the latest surveys. The best support is in favour of the traditional Monday-Friday workers, with 82 per cent preferring the option of increasing the working days with possible three-day weekends.
Also Read: How to Get a Post-Study Work Visa in Germany as an Indian Student?
What Overtime Regulations Apply in German Workplaces in 2025?
The German laws on overtime set out clear rules concerning work outside the normal hours. Any work that exceeds the normal Germany working hours of 40 hours is termed overtime, and such employees have the right to have extra pay, normally stipulated in the employment contracts or collective agreement.
Types of overtime pay are:
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One hundred and twenty-five per cent of the normal hourly wages during the initial two hours of overtime.
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150 per cent of the normal hourly salary for hours after the initial overtime.
-
Alternative compensation is in the form of extra paid leave.
The maximum working time per week, including overtime, should not exceed 60 hours a week. It is also an obligation of employers to keep the right records of all overtime hours, and they can never compel their workers to work overtime unless it is clearly written in their employment agreements.
Some sectors, like the healthcare industry and logistics, might be subject to certain overtime stipulations as necessitated by the working conditions. The total number of overtime hours has to adhere to the basic condition of having 11 hours between working days.
Non-EU Students: The 140-Day Rule
Non-EU students are put under tough rules. You are allowed to work not more than 140 full days or 280 half days during a calendar year. A full day refers to more than four hours of work, whereas a half-day is four or fewer. In other cases, you may work up to 20 hours in the academic semester without seeking any further authorisation. Any labour outside these limits must be permitted by special leave on the part of the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners' Office.
EU Students: Equal Rights to citizens.
In the case that you happen to be a student of an EU country, you enjoy equal working rights to German nationals. This implies that you can work no more than 20 hours per week throughout the semester. The day limits are not restricted on an annual basis, which is more flexible. During official semesters and holidays, both EU and non-EU students are allowed to work without limitations per hour since they are not counted in the number per year.
Exceptions and Extraneous Rules.
Some forms of work do not have these limits. Compulsory internships, which are an obligatory constituent of your degree program, do not include your working days. Similarly, working as a student assistant (hiwi) in a university or a research centre can be viewed as independent and may not be limited to the same hard hourly hours. Never hesitate to consult your local Foreign Office to know the specific and current regulations.
How Are Working Hours Monitored and Recorded?
Germany requires all employers to offer an official time tracking system on which employees should record Germany working hours since March 2024. This is a legal directive that is directed to discourage overtime and enforce labour laws.
The Requirement Recording Includes:
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The beginning and the end of Germany's working hours.
-
Break durations and timing.
-
Overtime hours worked
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Records will be required to be in existence for at least two years.
The official Germany working hours of an employee start when he/she gets to the work station. In the case of office users, this can be considered since the time they sit at the desk, the amount of time they can spend turning on their computer, or doing any form of preparation. In case workers are obliged to perform certain preparation tasks by the employers (exchanging uniforms or safety measures), this time will be added to the Germany working hours.
Breach of time recording requirements may attract fines to the tune of up to 15k euros per occurrence. The system safeguards the employees against getting overtime without pay and the employers against offences.
The Rise of Flexible Work Models in Germany (Gleitzeit & More)
Flexible work models are increasingly common in Germany, moving away from the traditional 9-to-5 workday. This shift is driven by a desire for better work-life balance, supported by technology and evolving labour laws. The most prominent model is Gleitzeit (flextime), which allows employees to set their own start and end times.
Gleitzeit: The Flexible Standard
With Gleitzeit, an employee's work day is composed of two parts: a core time and a flexible window. The core time is a mandatory period (e.g., 10 AM to 3 PM) when all employees must be present. Outside of this, employees can choose when to start and finish their work, as long as they meet their contracted weekly hours. This system gives workers more autonomy to manage personal appointments or commute outside of peak hours.
Beyond Gleitzeit: Other Models
In addition to Gleitzeit, other flexible arrangements are gaining traction. Part-time work (Teilzeit) is widely used, with the right to reduce hours enshrined in law for many employees. Job sharing, where two people split the responsibilities and hours of one full-time position, is also an option. Furthermore, the rise of the home office (mobile work) and hybrid models allows for a combination of remote and in-person work, significantly reducing commuting and providing greater freedom in scheduling. These models are fundamentally changing how Germans view and structure their professional lives, placing a greater emphasis on results rather than mere presence.
Conclusion
Germany working hours regulations prioritise employee wellbeing through comprehensive legal protections, including 8-hour daily limits, mandatory break periods, and strict overtime monitoring. Students enjoy structured working opportunities with clear hour limits based on nationality, while recent government proposals suggest movement toward more flexible weekly hour arrangements. The country's commitment to work-life balance is evident in its below-average Germany working hours and ongoing trials of innovative scheduling models, such as the four-day workweek. Visit TerraTern now to know more!
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