Working Hours and Overtime in Germany

What Are the Standard Working Hours In Germany?

The standard workweek is set at 40 hours, with employees allowed to work up to 8 hours a day and 48 hours per week.

A minimum meal interval of 30 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 6 hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in Germany

The legal cap on working hours in Germany is 8 hours per day, with a maximum of 48 hours per week. This is in line with EU regulations and is meant to protect employees' health and well-being. However, there are exceptions for certain industries, such as healthcare and hospitality, where employees may work up to 10 hours per day with a weekly total not exceeding 60 hours, but these exceptions require specific conditions and must be followed strictly.

Industry Specific Exceptions

Certain industries in Germany, like healthcare, transportation, and hospitality, have different regulations regarding working hours. For example, in the healthcare industry, shifts may exceed the standard 8 hours per day to ensure 24-hour patient care. Similarly, in the transportation industry, workers may need to work longer shifts, especially in public transportation. These exceptions are designed to accommodate the continuous nature of these services but come with specific rules and limits to protect workers' rights.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Managerial and exempt employees in Germany, typically those in senior management or roles with high responsibility, may not be subject to the standard working hour limits. These employees are often excluded from overtime regulations due to their high-level positions, where the focus is on the completion of tasks rather than the number of hours worked. As a result, managerial and exempt employees may have more flexibility with their hours, though they still need to be mindful of general labor law protections.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Germany

In Germany, statutory full-time working hours are defined as 40 hours per week. This is the benchmark for full-time employment across most industries, although variations may exist based on collective agreements or company-specific contracts. If the average daily working time does not exceed eight hours within six months or 24 weeks, the workweek can extend to 48 hours or 10 hours per day.

The 40-hour workweek is generally divided into five days, with typical working hours being between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with breaks included. However, industries like healthcare and transportation may have different working hour arrangements depending on operational requirements.

Overtime Regulations in Germany

Germany has strict regulations concerning overtime work, designed to ensure employees are compensated fairly for extra hours worked beyond their regular working time. Employers must adhere to these rules to prevent employee exploitation and ensure work-life balance.

What Counts As Overtime in Germany?

Overtime in Germany refers to any work performed beyond the standard 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. Employees must be compensated for any overtime hours worked, and in some cases, this may include additional breaks or time off in lieu, depending on the agreement between the employer and employee. There are two main types of overtime in Germany which include:

• "Mehrarbeit," exceeding the 48-hour weekly limit, extendable to 10 hours daily if the average daily work hours remain at 8 over six months. This is usually compensated with time off.
• "Ãœberstunden," representing extra hours beyond agreed contractual terms, usually requiring compensation.

Maximum Overtime In Germany

The maximum allowable overtime in Germany is generally 2 hours per day, which means no more than 10 hours of work per day. However, in exceptional cases, employees may work up to 12 hours a day, but this requires the consent of both the employee and the employer, and it cannot exceed 48 hours per week. Employers who do not adhere to these rules can face penalties or fines.

Overtime Payout Rates In Germany

Overtime pay in Germany is not explicitly covered by law and is typically addressed in employment contracts. While there's no statutory mandate on overtime compensation, overtime is usually paid at 1.5 times the regular rate (50% higher than standard hourly wage). For overtime worked on weekends or public holidays, employees are generally entitled to a higher rate of compensation. Some companies may not pay for overtime hours but allow employees to use those extra hours as vacation time instead. According to German case law, at least ten percent of regular working hours can be compensated with the base salary.

Rest Periods and Breaks In Germany

Employees in Germany are entitled to a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest between shifts. Additionally, employees who work more than 6 hours in a day must receive a minimum 30-minute break, which can be extended depending on the length of the workday. Specific rules apply to younger employees (under 18), who are entitled to longer rest periods and breaks. Employers are responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations to safeguard employee health and productivity.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

In Germany, night shifts are defined as work performed between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM (10:00 PM and 5:00 AM in bakeries and pastry shops), while weekend work refers to hours worked on Saturdays and Sundays. Night workers are defined as those who normally work night shifts as part of their regular hours or work at night for at least 48 days in a calendar year. Employees who work night shifts are entitled to additional pay or allowances, and there are strict regulations on how many night shifts an employee can work within a certain period. Similarly, employees working on weekends may receive additional compensation, depending on their employment contract and industry.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That's the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

• ‍Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
• ‍Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.