- The normal maximum is 8 hours a day, which can be extended to 10 if the average stays at 8.
- After 6 hours you need a 30 minute break, after 9 hours 45 minutes.
- You must have 11 hours of rest between two working days.
- Overtime is paid or given back as time off only if your contract or agreement says so.
Germans are known for working efficiently and then going home. The law supports that, and most teams respect it.
The main rules
The Working Hours Act sets these limits. Rest time is in §5. Many sectors, like hospitals and hospitality, have special rules.
Overtime
A typical full time contract has 38 to 40 hours a week. Whether overtime is paid depends on your contract. Some contracts say a certain amount of overtime is included in the salary, especially for senior roles. Many companies use time accounts (Gleitzeit), where extra hours are taken as time off later.
What it means in practice
- Meetings start on time and end on time.
- Emails after hours are less common, and answering them is not expected in many teams.
- Long hours are not seen as proof of commitment; results are.
Common questions
Do I have to record my working time?
Employers must have a system to record working time, following court decisions. How it works differs by company.
Can I work two jobs?
Usually yes, if the total stays within the law and your contract allows it. Check your permit too.
Is home office a right?
No general right exists, but many employers offer it.
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.