Directive guide
EU Working Time Directive guide
This page explains the EU working-time baseline behind the Europe overtime calculator: the 48-hour average weekly limit, daily rest, weekly rest, breaks, paid annual leave, night work, and country-level implementation.
Use the Europe overtime calculator48-hour average weekly limit
Directive 2003/88/EC requires member states to limit average working time for each seven-day period, including overtime, to 48 hours. The directive sets the baseline, while reference periods, sector rules, and enforcement are handled through national law.
The 48-hour rule is a working-time safety standard. It does not create one EU-wide overtime pay premium.
Daily and weekly rest
Daily rest
Workers are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of rest in each 24-hour period.
Weekly rest
Workers are entitled to at least 24 uninterrupted hours of weekly rest, in addition to the daily 11-hour rest period.
Breaks and paid annual leave
Where the working day is longer than six hours, workers must have a rest break. The exact break duration and conditions are usually set by collective agreements, social-partner agreements, or national legislation. The directive also gives workers at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year.
Night work
Night workers have additional protection. Normal hours for night workers must not exceed an average of eight hours in any 24-hour period, and workers doing heavy or hazardous night work cannot exceed eight hours in the relevant 24-hour period.
Why country rules still matter
EU law sets minimum working-time protections, but each member state implements them through national law. Overtime pay rates, wage floors, annual overtime limits, and time off in lieu can differ sharply between France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, and other member states.