Labour Law in Germany

The Working Hours Act provides a framework for organising working hours. For example, it regulates the maximum number of hours per day that employees in Germany are allowed to work. It does not specify a specific working time. For a full-time position, a 40-hour workweek is standard.

A permanent working time of more than 48 hours per week is not permitted. Daily working hours are flexible. For example, you can work up to ten hours on some days and less on others – but on average, you should not work more than eight hours per day within six months. Employees in Germany are also entitled to work part-time.

The law also regulates the minimum length of breaks that employees are entitled to during the working day (minimum break time). For working hours of six to nine hours, the employer must allow a 30-minute break; for working hours of more than nine hours, a 45-minute break. After work, employees are entitled to a rest period of eleven hours before returning to work.

Sunday is a rest day. Employees also do not work on public holidays. There are special regulations for certain cases and industries – for example, firefighters, emergency services, hospital staff and restaurant workers also work on Sundays and public holidays. 

All employees in Germany are entitled to paid annual leave. For a full-time job, this amounts to at least 20 working days. Salary continues to be paid as usual during the holiday.

Germany has a statutory minimum wage. Since 1 January 2026, this has been set at €13.90 per hour. Employees must receive at least this amount per hour from their employer.

General protection against dismissal protects employees from unlawful dismissal. The employer may terminate the employment relationship only if there is a valid reason for dismissal. The reasons for dismissal are specified in detail in the law. In addition, certain notice periods must be observed when giving notice of dismissal. Termination without notice by the employer – i.e. dismissal with immediate effect – is only possible under certain working conditions. Notice of dismissal must be given in writing.

Pregnant working women in Germany are entitled to maternity leave. This is to protect them from financial hardship in the later stages of pregnancy when they are no longer able to work. The protection period begins six weeks before the birth and usually ends eight weeks after the birth. During the protection period, they receive maternity pay of up to €13 per day and a financial allowance from their employer.

The amount of maternity pay is based on the net salary of the last three calendar months. Pregnant women must apply to their health insurance fund for maternity pay. Further information on this can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Parents in Germany are entitled to parental leave so they can care for their children themselves. Parental leave is unpaid leave from work. This means that parents do not have to work during this period, but they also do not receive a salary. However, they remain employed during parental leave and are protected from dismissal in special ways. To avoid financial disadvantages, parental allowance can be applied for.

Parental leave must be notified to the employer at least 7 weeks before the birth of the child. When registering, you must also specify the duration of your parental leave. You can request up to three (3) years of leave from work per child from your employer. Further information on parental leave is available on the family portal.