Maximum hours by country
The first thing to establish is how many hours an employee can work per week. The usual reference in Europe is 40 hours, but France stands out with 35 and Dubai allows more.
Key points
- Portugal: 40 hours per week (8 per day)
- France: 35 hours per week statutory working time
- Germany: 8 hours per day, extendable to 10 if compensated
- Italy: 40 hours per week standard, up to 48 with overtime
- Andorra: 40 hours per week
- Dubai: 48 hours per week (8 per day, 6 days) in the private sector
Minimum holidays
The minimum holiday entitlement also varies, and in practice collective agreements usually provide more than the law requires. These are the legal baselines:
Key points
- Portugal: 22 working days
- France: 25 working days (5 weeks)
- Germany: 20 working days by law, although 25 to 30 is usual
- Italy: 20 days (4 weeks)
- Andorra: 30 calendar days
- Dubai: 30 calendar days per year after the first year
Breaks, rest periods and public holidays
Beyond hours, each country sets mandatory breaks and rest periods between shifts. In Germany, for example, there is a 30-minute break from 6 hours worked and 45 minutes from 9, with a minimum rest of 11 hours between shifts.
Public holidays also change the working calendar. Portugal and Italy have national holidays that are added to annual leave, and in Germany each Bundesland adds its own. Before setting shifts, check the calendar of the country and the specific region where you operate.
What changes for your company
Working time is not just a legal matter: it defines how much you pay per hour worked and how you organise shifts and on-call duties. In France, hours above 35 are paid at a premium or compensated with RTT days; in Dubai, the 6-day week is the norm for many sectors.
For an SME hiring abroad for the first time, the most practical approach is to rely on local advisers who prepare contracts compliant with the country's working time and collective agreement. A contract poorly drafted on working time or holidays proves costly in inspections.
