Working hours in Germany - full-time, part-time, overtime and student job rules

The German workplace is famous for its structure, strict boundaries, and unparalleled employee protections. The unwritten rule is “work is work, and private life is private life”.

Working hours is one area, which is very well regulated in Germany, it is protected by law, and clearly stated in your contract. But the reality is more mixed: you can still do overtime, shift work, weekend work, and student jobs have additional guidelines.

For most full-time employees, working hours are around 36 to 40 hours per week. Official data shows full-time employees worked about 40.2 hours per week in 2023, while part-time employees worked about 20.8 hours. For international students, the topic is even more relevant. You need to understand not only your job contract, but also the visa rules, including the the 140-day limit, the 20-hour rule, internships, mini-jobs, and what changes after graduation.

How many hours do people work in Germany?

The first thing that shocks many international professionals is the strict boundary surrounding time. In Germany, a standard full-time workweek is typically 36 to 40 hours. A normal office schedule is often Monday to Friday, with 7 to 8 working hours per day plus an unpaid lunch break. The legal rule is different from daily practice. Under Germany’s Working Time Act, the basic maximum is 8 hours per working day. It can be extended to 10 hours per day if you average working time stays at 8 hours over a 6-month period.

If you work between 6 and 9 hours, you are legally required to take one 30-minute unpaid break. If you work more than 9 hours, the mandatory break increases to 45 minutes. You cannot log off 30 minutes early instead of taking your break; the system will flag it.

That means a 40-hour week is normal, but the law is built around worker protection. Germany does not want people working unpaid long hours permanently.

A simple way to understand it:

If you are comparing job offers, do not only look at the gross or net salary. Also check the weekly hours, overtime rules, remote work options, holidays, and whether the company follows a collective agreement (Tarifvertrag). Your disposable income depends on your net salary, so check out of salary after tax guide for Germany.

What are the legal working hour rules in Germany?

Germany’s working hour rules are designed to protect your health and prevent permanent overwork which can easily lead to a burnout. The most important rules are daily limits, breaks, rest time, and Sunday protection.

If you work more than 6 hours, you need at least a 30-minute break. If you work more than 9 hours, you need at least 45 minutes of break. After your working day ends, you usually need at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest before your next shift can start.

Sunday is generally a rest day in Germany. Many offices and shops are closed, but there are exceptions in hospitals, emergency services, transport, restaurants, hotels, and some other sectors. If Sunday work is allowed, a replacement day for rest time is usually required. This is why Germany can feel very structured compared to many other countries. Work is important, but free time is also protected.

Our insider tip:

Legally, Saturdays are treated as normal working days here. The law allows a 6-day workweek (up to 48 hours), so if your contract is flexible, your boss can technically ask you to come in. But check your contract carefully: if it explicitly says your hours are strictly Monday to Friday, they can’t force a Saturday on you without your consent. Sundays, on the other hand, are sacred. It is literally written into the German constitution as a day of rest. Sunday work is fundamentally banned unless you are in an industry that absolutely requires it, like healthcare or gastronomy. So no, they can’t just tell you to log in on Sunday for standard overtime.

One last thing that surprises everyone: German law actually doesn’t guarantee extra pay for working weekends. The law only says you have to get time off later to make up for it. That said, many companies or union agreements (Tarifvertrag) will voluntarily throw in a 25% to 50% bonus, which is usually tax-free! Definitely check your contract or ask your Betriebsrat (worker council) to see if you get those extra euros.

What is considered full-time work in Germany?

Full-time work in Germany (Vollzeit), normally equals to around 36 to 40 hours per week. Your exact working hours should be written in your employment contract.

In IT, engineering, consulting, and many office jobs, 40 hours per week is common. In some larger companies, especially where collective agreements apply, 35 to 38.5 hours may be normal. Full-time work usually means you also get your full salary, paid vacation, sick leave, social security, pension contributions, and health insurance through employment.

Many international workers focus only on the monthly salary and miss the contract details. Before accepting an offer, it is worth understanding how employment contracts in Germany work, especially the sections on working hours, overtime, probation period, and notice period.

What is part-time work in Germany?

Part-time work in Germany is called Teilzeit. It means you work fewer hours than a full-time employee in the same company. Part-time work is not only for students. Many professionals work part-time because of family responsibilities, part-time study, health issues, childcare, or other personal reasons. Germany has a strong part-time culture, especially in healthcare, education, administration, retail, and service jobs.

A part-time job can be 10, 20, or 30 hours per week. Strictly speaking, there is no hard minimum or maximum number of hours for a part-time contract. You could legally sign a contract for just 1 hour a week if you and your employer both agreed to it. The important thing is that your contract should clearly mention:

Part-time does not mean “less protected.” Part-time employees still have labour rights, vacation rights, and protection against unfair treatment.

Our insider tip:

In Germany, you actually have a legal right to demand a reduction in your working hours. However, it isn’t an overnight switch. For your request to be legally binding, you must submit your request via email or letter at least 3 months before your desired start date. You should specify exactly how many hours you want to cut and how you want them distributed (e.g., “I want to drop from 40 to 30 hours, working 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday”). Ideally, also mention, until when you want to have this adjustment, if you want to retain the legal right to go back to full-time working hours later.

When can you request part-time work in Germany?

Employees in Germany can request a reduction of working hours if certain conditions are met. In general, the employment relationship must have lasted more than 6 months, and the employer usually must have more than 15 employees. The request should normally be made at least 3 months before the desired start.

The employer can refuse only if there are operational reasons. For example, if the reduced hours would seriously disturb the work process, organization, safety, or create disproportionate costs.

There is also Brückenteilzeit, or bridge part-time work. This allows eligible employees to reduce working hours for a limited period and later return to their previous working hours. This usually applies in larger companies with more than 45 employees and comes with additional conditions.

In practice, international workers should be careful with timing. If you are still in probation, new in the company, or on a visa tied to your salary or employment, speak to HR and check your residence situation before changing your hours.

How does overtime work in Germany?

Germans do not necessarily view staying late as a sign of dedication; often, it is viewed as a sign of poor time management or unrealistic planning. Overtime can happen, but it should not be a regular occurrence, to avoid the risk of burnout. Your contract, company policy, collective agreement, or workers agreement usually explains how overtime is handled.

The blunt truth: Germany has strict rules, but overtime still happens. In some sectors, overtime is rare and carefully tracked. In others, especially consulting, healthcare, logistics, startups, and project-based roles, extra hours can become part of the work culture, and an unspoken expectation. It is up to you to decide if this unspoken expectation is okay for you.

Beware of clauses stating “Überstunden sind mit dem Gehalt abgegolten” (Overtime is covered by the salary). This is usually only legally valid for high-earning management positions. For standard roles, arbitrary unpaid overtime is illegal.

Overtime can be handled in different ways:

Not every extra hour automatically gives you a bonus. Overtime pay or premiums often depend on the contract, collective agreement, or company policy.

Our insider tip:

Track your hours yourself. Even in a friendly workplace, write down when you work late, why, and who requested it.

Working hours in Germany by sector

Working hours in Germany depend strongly on the sector. The law gives the outer frame, but the culture changes from industry to industry.

If you are still deciding on your career direction, compare working hours together with the job demand, salary, city, and long-term visa options. Our guide to high-demand jobs in Germany can help you understand which fields currently offer stronger career opportunities.

Working hours for international students in Germany

International students can work in Germany, but the rules depend on nationality, residence status, job type, and whether the work affects student status. For non-EU students with a residence permit, the current rule allows 140 full working days or 280 half working days per calendar year. Alternatively, employment of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture times, is also permitted. This can be extended to 40 hours per week, during semester breaks.

A half working day means up to 4 working hours. Holidays, public holidays, and sick days are not counted as worked days. Voluntary internships count toward the 140 full or 280 half days, but compulsory internships that are part of your degree do not count.

Be aware, if you work too much (over the 20h per week limit), you may no longer be treated as a student for social insurance purposes, which means you will have to pay a higher insurance premium. without additional approval from the foreigners’ office.

What are the rules for mini-jobs in Germany?

A mini-job has a monthly income limit. In 2026, it is €603 per month, and the statutory minimum wage is €13.90/hour . Mini-jobs are common among students because they are simple and flexible. You may find them in cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, delivery, events, reception, and support roles.

But a mini-job is not always the best career move. If you are studying IT, engineering, business, or healthcare, a Working student job linked to your field may be better for your CV and future career prospects.

Simple comparison:

What happens after studies when you start full-time work?

After graduation, your work life changes. You are no longer treated as a student worker. You may move into a full-time skilled job, job-seeking residence permit, EU Blue Card, or another work-based residence route. At this stage, working hours become part of your employment package. You should compare:

Your first full-time job is not only about the company name. It is also about how much money you keep, how many hours you work, how expensive your city is, and how sustainable the lifestyle feels. That is why it helps to compare your offer with both the salary after tax guide for Germany and our guide to the cost of living in Germany.

Common mistakes international workers and students make

People who read contracts carefully, ensure they avoid costly issues later on. That may sound boring, but it protects you. The most common mistakes internationals make are:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)