Who the law applies to
The German Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz, ArbZG) applies to employees in Germany. Senior executives, among others, are excluded; for young people under 18 the Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz) applies instead. Collective agreements – and works agreements based on them – may set different rules within the limits the law allows. If you work for several employers, your working hours are added together.
How long must the break be? (§ 4 ArbZG)
Work must be interrupted by breaks fixed in advance. Their minimum length depends on how long you work:
| Working time per day | Minimum break |
|---|---|
| up to 6 hours | no statutory minimum break |
| more than 6 and up to 9 hours | 30 minutes |
| more than 9 hours | 45 minutes |
- The break may be split into periods of at least 15 minutes each.
- You may not work more than 6 hours in a row without a break.
- Breaks are not working time (§ 2(1) ArbZG).
An example
If you work exactly 9 hours, 30 minutes of break are enough, because 45 minutes are only required for more than 9 hours. If you work 9 hours and 15 minutes, you need at least 45 minutes of break.
How long may I work per day? (§ 3 ArbZG)
Working time per working day (Werktag – under German law this generally means Monday to Saturday) must not exceed 8 hours. It can be extended to up to 10 hours if an average of 8 hours per working day is not exceeded within 6 calendar months or 24 weeks.
Rest time after work (§ 5 ArbZG)
After your working day ends you’re entitled to an uninterrupted rest period of at least 11 hours. In some sectors, such as hospitals, care and restaurants, it may be shortened by up to one hour if each shortening is made up within a calendar month or four weeks by extending another rest period to at least 12 hours.