Overtime Rules in Germany
In Germany, overtime starts after 8 hours in a day and after 48 hours in a week, and no statutory rate applies: the premium is set by the employment contract or the collective agreement.
- Daily overtime after
- 8 hour
- Weekly overtime after
- 48 hour
- Overtime rate
- Not set nationally
- Maximum weekly hours
- 60 hour
- Rest break
- 30 minute · 6 hours
- Source
- gesetze-im-internet.de
When overtime starts in Germany
Not every threshold on this page is fixed by national law in Germany. The figures above are what the statute sets; where one is marked as not set nationally, the point at which overtime begins, or the rate it is paid at, comes from the employment contract, the collective agreement or sector rules instead.
An empty figure is information rather than an omission. Read the source linked below before applying any of these numbers to a specific contract in Germany.
Maximum weekly hours
The maximum working week in Germany is 60 hours, including overtime. Averaging arrangements over a reference period are common and may change how the limit applies to any single week.
Rest breaks
A rest break of at least 30 minutes applies once a shift exceeds 6 hours. Unpaid breaks are excluded from paid hours, which is how the hours calculator treats the break field by default.
Calculate overtime pay for Germany
Select Germany in the hours calculator or the timesheet and its thresholds are applied to your week automatically. Because no statutory multiplier applies in Germany, overtime hours are listed on their own line at the plain hourly rate, and the premium your contract or collective agreement sets is yours to enter.
Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
As of Setyembre 21, 2026
This page summarises the statutory baseline in Germany for general information. It is not legal advice, collective agreements and sector rules can set different terms, and labour law changes. Check gesetze-im-internet.de before relying on any figure.
Questions and answers
When does overtime start in Germany?
After 8 hours in a day or 48 hours in a week, whichever is reached first. Hours beyond that point are overtime.
How much is overtime pay in Germany?
The statute cited on this page does not set that figure for Germany. It is left to the employment contract, the collective agreement or sector rules, so check gesetze-im-internet.de and the agreement that covers the job.
What is the maximum number of hours per week in Germany?
60 hours including overtime, subject to any averaging or sector exceptions that apply in Germany.
Are rest breaks required in Germany?
A break of at least 30 minutes is required once a shift passes 6 hours. Whether it is paid depends on the contract.
Where do these figures come from?
From gesetze-im-internet.de, the statutory instrument for working time in Germany. Where a figure is uncertain it is left blank rather than estimated.