Working Hours and Overtime in The Czech Republic

In The Czech Republic, your company must comply with working hour and overtime laws – including daily limits, overtime thresholds, and rest requirements – to stay compliant and build a strong employee experience.

Employers are responsible for setting work schedules within the statutory 40-hour full-time limit, correctly classifying employees, and tracking all hours worked, including overtime. You must respect caps on ordered overtime, provide the required premiums or time off in lieu, and ensure that employees receive minimum daily and weekly rest, as well as meal breaks once a shift exceeds 6 hours. Looking ahead to 2026, you should expect continued enforcement focus on accurate timekeeping, protection of vulnerable groups such as minors and night workers, and alignment with evolving EU working-time and work–life balance standards, making robust internal policies and documentation increasingly important.

• Standard Working Hours
• Overtime Thresholds
• Overtime Pay Rates
• Daily And Weekly Rest Requirements
• Night Work Restrictions
• Penalties For Non-Compliance

What Are The Standard Working Hours In The Czech Republic?

An employee whose age is 15 or younger has a maximum of 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week. An employee whose age is 16 or older is allowed to work 40 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 9:00 to 17:00.

Maximum Working Hours In The Czech Republic

Under the Czech Labour Code, the standard weekly working time for adult employees is 40 hours, usually distributed over five working days. Employers commonly schedule 8-hour workdays, but the law allows for different distributions as long as the average weekly limit is respected over the applicable balancing period. For certain operations with continuous or multi-shift work, the statutory weekly limit is reduced to 37.5 or 38.75 hours, depending on the shift pattern. Any work beyond the agreed schedule within these statutory limits must still comply with rules on rest periods, night work, and health and safety.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

• Continuous Operation And Multi-Shift Manufacturing
• Healthcare And Hospital Services
• Transport And Logistics Services
• Emergency And Rescue Services
• Seasonal Agriculture And Tourism

Managerial And Exempt Employees

Senior managerial employees in The Czech Republic may have broader flexibility in scheduling and may agree to a higher level of responsibility for organizing their own working time. However, they are not fully exempt from working-time protections. Statutory limits on maximum weekly working hours, overtime caps, and minimum rest periods still apply, although some entitlements, such as overtime pay, can be modified by agreement for top management. Employers should clearly define managerial status and working-time expectations in employment contracts and internal regulations to avoid disputes and ensure compliance.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours In The Czech Republic

Statutory full-time work is generally 40 hours per week for adult employees, with reduced limits for certain shift systems and specific sectors. Part-time arrangements are permitted and must be agreed in writing, specifying the shorter weekly working time. Employers must ensure that scheduled hours, including any agreed flexible or compressed schedules, do not exceed the statutory weekly limits when averaged over the reference period and that employees receive all required breaks and rest periods.

Overtime Regulations In The Czech Republic

What Counts As Overtime In The Czech Republic?

Overtime in The Czech Republic is generally any work performed by an employee at the employer’s instruction or with the employer’s consent beyond the agreed weekly working time, typically beyond 40 hours per week for full-time employees. Overtime can also be assessed on a daily basis where internal rules define a standard daily schedule, but legal compliance is ultimately measured against weekly limits and reference periods. Employers must record overtime accurately, obtain at least implied consent where required, and ensure that overtime is used only in exceptional or operationally necessary situations.

Maximum Overtime In The Czech Republic

The Labour Code limits ordered overtime to 8 hours per week and 150 hours per calendar year per employee. Additional overtime may be worked only with the employee’s agreement, and even then the total average overtime must not exceed 8 hours per week over a maximum 26-week reference period, which can be extended to 52 weeks by collective agreement. Employers must monitor overtime on an individual basis, respect special protections for pregnant employees, employees caring for small children, and minors, and avoid using overtime as a permanent staffing solution.

Overtime Payout Rates In The Czech Republic

Employees are entitled either to their normal wage plus a statutory overtime premium or to compensatory time off, depending on what is agreed. The standard premium for overtime work is at least 25% of the employee’s average earnings in addition to base pay, unless the parties agree to provide time off in lieu in the corresponding scope instead of the premium. Higher premiums may apply under collective agreements or internal policies, particularly for overtime at night, on weekends, or on public holidays. Any contractual arrangements that reduce employees’ rights below statutory minimums are invalid, so employers should review policies and contracts to ensure that overtime compensation structures remain compliant.

Rest Periods And Breaks In The Czech Republic

In The Czech Republic, employees typically work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, and the Labour Code links specific rest periods and breaks to these standard working hours. Employers must provide meal and rest breaks during shifts, ensure uninterrupted daily rest between working days, and guarantee weekly rest days so that total working time, including overtime, does not compromise employee health and safety. These protections apply across sectors, with additional safeguards for minors and night workers.

• Meal Break Requirements
• Daily Rest
• Weekly Rest
• Minors
• Employer Duties