GermanyWhat are the maximum working hours per day?
In Germany, the standard maximum is 8 hours per workday, but it can be extended to up to 10 hours if the average over 6 months or 24 weeks stays at or below 8 hours.
What the Law Says
German labor law sets clear limits on daily working time to protect employee health and ensure fair working conditions.
Under the Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz – ArbZG), employees’ daily working time must generally not exceed eight hours.
This limit may be temporarily exceeded — up to a maximum of ten hours per day — but only if the average working time over a defined reference period remains at or below eight hours per workday.
The employer must ensure this average is met either over six consecutive calendar months or over 24 consecutive weeks. This flexibility allows for seasonal or project-based workload fluctuations while safeguarding workers’ rest and recovery.
Statutory TextDie werktägliche Arbeitszeit der Arbeitnehmer darf acht Stunden nicht überschreiten. Sie kann auf bis zu zehn Stunden nur verlängert werden, wenn innerhalb von sechs Kalendermonaten oder innerhalb von 24 Wochen im Durchschnitt acht Stunden werktäglich nicht überschritten werden.
— ArbZG § 3 — Working Hours Act
What Courts Have Said
Courts have reinforced employers’ obligations related to working time compliance — especially regarding documentation and accountability.
The Federal Labour Court ruled that employers must implement a reliable system to record all employees’ daily working hours, as required by occupational safety law — a key step in enforcing daily and average hour limits.
What to Do
Review your employment contract and weekly schedule to confirm your daily hours comply with the 8-hour standard or permissible 10-hour exceptions.
Check whether your employer maintains a documented, transparent system for recording your daily working time.
If you regularly exceed 10 hours or notice your average exceeds 8 hours over 6 months/24 weeks, raise the issue with your works council or seek legal advice.
Keep personal records of your start/end times — especially if your employer lacks a formal time-tracking system.
Sources
Related Questions
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Canada
Ireland
European Union
UK
South Korea
JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.