Tagesruhe

Tagesruhe, literally “daytime rest,” is a term used in German-speaking countries to denote a legally mandated rest period within a 24-hour cycle, intended to ensure recovery from work. It is distinct from short breaks taken during work and from longer weekly rest. The concept appears mainly in labor law and transport regulation, particularly where worker health and safety depend on adequate rest, such as in shift work, long-haul transportation, and other safety-sensitive occupations.

In legal practice, Tagesruhe is described as the daily rest time or daily rest period. National laws such as Germany’s Arbeitszeitgesetz set limits on working hours and require a minimum rest period; in the European Union, rules governing professional drivers define daily and weekly rest requirements. The exact duration and whether rest must be continuous or may be split depend on jurisdiction and sector. In many cases, the daily rest is intended to be an uninterrupted interval, though some regulations allow certain combinations of breaks if the total rest meets the required duration.

Historically, the idea of a daily rest period has been tied to labor reforms aimed at protecting workers’ health and public safety, influencing scheduling practices in transport, industry, and service sectors.

See also: Ruhezeit, Arbeitszeitgesetz, Schichtarbeit, Fahrpersonalrecht.