Wochenendstunden

Wochenendstunden are hours of work performed by employees on Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. In Germany, the German Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) sets general limits for daily and weekly working hours, but it permits a longer working day if the total weekly average does not exceed 48 hours or remains below eight hours per day over a reference period. When employees work during the weekend, the act requires that the total weekend working time does not exceed 10 hours and that employees receive sufficient rest periods before and after such work.

For employers, the regulation of weekend hours is guided by collective agreements (Tarifverträge) and company-specific work rules. Many agreements mandate a premium for weekend work, often ranging from 25 % to 50 % overtime pay, in addition to the usual wage. These additional payments can also be compensated with extra holiday hours or approved leave, depending on the contract terms. The German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) stipulates that any overtime payment must be part of the employee’s contract or recognized by a collective agreement. The absence of a collective agreement may make it difficult to claim additional pay for weekend hours.

Employees who regularly work hours on Saturdays and Sundays may be eligible for a reduced average weekly working time under the Maximum Work-Time Regulation (MIME). This regulation allows a weekly average of 48 hours over a 12‑month reference period and can be a tool for both employers and employees to comply with legal limits while retaining weekend work. It is essential that all agreements concerning weekend hours are documented in writing, as verbal arrangements are not legally binding.