EU working-time rules: a plain-language reference
This page summarises the EU's working-time rules in plain language. It is informational, not legal advice. National implementations vary.
Maximum working week
Average weekly working time, including overtime, must not exceed 48 hours over a reference period (typically 4 months). Source: Article 6, Directive 2003/88/EC.
Daily rest
Workers are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of rest per 24-hour period. Source: Article 3.
Weekly rest
Workers are entitled to at least 24 uninterrupted hours of rest per 7-day period, on top of the 11 hours of daily rest. Source: Article 5.
Breaks
Workers whose daily working time exceeds 6 hours are entitled to a rest break. The length and conditions are set by national law or collective agreements. Source: Article 4.
Annual leave
Workers are entitled to at least 4 weeks of paid annual leave. Source: Article 7.
Recording obligation (CCOO, 2019)
In CCOO v. Deutsche Bank (C-55/18), the CJEU ruled that EU member states must require employers to set up an "objective, reliable and accessible system enabling the duration of time worked each day by each worker to be measured."