Overview

• The government’s draft, based on the EU Working Time Directive, would replace the eight-hour daily limit with a 48-hour weekly cap that could permit single shifts of up to 12 hours 15 minutes once rest requirements are met.
• Union leaders and medical researchers warn the measure risks eroding health protections by enabling extended daily shifts that correlate with increased illness and accident rates.
• Employers’ organizations argue a weekly cap offers needed scheduling flexibility for industries with irregular hours and for employees seeking to balance family obligations.
• Opinion polls show Germans evenly split on the reform, with nearly half favoring a weekly limit if it comes with benefits such as earlier retirement options.
• The proposal also includes a plan to allow pensioners to earn up to €2,000 monthly tax-free from 2026 to help address labor shortages by retaining experienced workers.