Working Hours in Germany
The legal working week and day in Germany, how overtime is paid, which days are the weekend, normal office hours and the paid leave you are owed.
Working week in Germany
48 hoursThe Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) allows up to 48 hours a week over six working days. Most full-time contracts are 38 to 40 hours over five days, and collective agreements often set 35 to 39.
Working day in Germany
8 hoursThe limit is 8 hours a day, which can be extended to 10 if the average over 6 months stays at 8, with 11 hours’ rest between days. The government plans to allow a weekly limit instead, but the bill had not passed in October 2026.
Overtime pay in Germany
AgreedThe law sets no overtime premium; contracts and collective agreements decide, commonly 25% extra or time off. Many salaried contracts include some overtime in the salary.
Weekend days in Germany
Sat–SunSaturday and Sunday are the weekend. Work on Sundays and public holidays is banned by law apart from exceptions such as hospitals, transport and hospitality, and shops stay closed on Sundays.
Business hours in Germany
9am–5pmOffices commonly work 8am or 9am to 5pm, often with flexitime. Shops can open until 8pm or later on weekdays and Saturdays, depending on the state.
Annual leave in Germany
20 daysThe legal minimum is 24 working days for a six-day week, which is 20 days on a five-day week. Most employers give 25 to 30 days.
Checked 24 October 2026 against national labour laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you. Recent changes checked against: DLA Piper: Germany prepares shift to weekly working time limits.
Working days in Germany 2026
Business days and working hours by month, after weekends and holidays.
Minimum wage in Germany
The hourly and monthly minimum, in local money and US dollars.
German public holidays 2026
Every holiday with its date and long weekends.
Working hours in Germany: questions and answers
How many hours is the working week in Germany?
The Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) allows up to 48 hours a week over six working days. Most full-time contracts are 38 to 40 hours over five days, and collective agreements often set 35 to 39.
How many hours a day can you work in Germany?
The limit is 8 hours a day, which can be extended to 10 if the average over 6 months stays at 8, with 11 hours’ rest between days. The government plans to allow a weekly limit instead, but the bill had not passed in October 2026.
How is overtime paid in Germany?
The law sets no overtime premium; contracts and collective agreements decide, commonly 25% extra or time off. Many salaried contracts include some overtime in the salary.
Which days are the weekend in Germany?
Saturday and Sunday are the weekend. Work on Sundays and public holidays is banned by law apart from exceptions such as hospitals, transport and hospitality, and shops stay closed on Sundays.
What are normal business hours in Germany?
Offices commonly work 8am or 9am to 5pm, often with flexitime. Shops can open until 8pm or later on weekdays and Saturdays, depending on the state.
How many days of paid leave do you get in Germany?
The legal minimum is 24 working days for a six-day week, which is 20 days on a five-day week. Most employers give 25 to 30 days.
South Africa
Nigeria
Kenya
United States
Canada
Brazil
Mexico
Bangladesh
India
Pakistan
Japan
South Korea
United Kingdom
Ireland
France
Spain
Italy
Netherlands
Belgium
Portugal
Austria
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Finland
Poland
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Australia
New Zealand