How many hours can minor trainees work in Germany?

According to the Youth Employment Protection Act, minor trainees may work a maximum of 40 hours per week and no more than 8 hours per day. Under certain conditions, the daily working time may be extended to 8.5 hours.

What break regulations apply to minor trainees?

For working hours of more than 4.5 to 6 hours, minor trainees must take a break of at least 30 minutes. For working hours exceeding 6 hours, the break time is 60 minutes.

How many hours can adult trainees work in Germany?

Adult trainees may work up to 48 hours per week according to the Working Time Act. The daily working time is a maximum of 8 hours but can be extended to up to 10 hours if a balance is achieved within six months.

What break regulations apply to adult trainees?

For working hours exceeding 6 hours, adult trainees are entitled to a minimum break of 30 minutes. For working hours of more than 9 hours, the break time must be at least 45 minutes.

Are there exceptions to working hours for certain industries?

Yes, in industries like hospitality or healthcare, there are different working time regulations. Minors may be allowed to work in the evenings or on weekends under certain conditions, provided that legal requirements are respected.

Ausbildung ▶ During ▶ Working Conditions

Working Hours

Working Hours during Vocational Training (Ausbildung) in Germany 2025

Working hours for trainees in Germany are governed by the Youth Employment Protection Act (for minors) and the Working Time Act (for adults). Minors may work a maximum of 40 hours per week and 8 hours daily. Adult trainees can be employed for up to 48 hours weekly, with the daily working time not exceeding 8 hours. Break times and rest periods are also regulated by law.

Minor Trainees

Trainees under the age of 18 are subject to the Youth Employment Protection Act. This law stipulates that minor trainees must not work more than 40 hours per week. The daily working time can be at most 8 hours, although under certain circumstances (for example, if working hours are reduced on other days), they may be allowed to work up to 8.5 hours.

Break Regulations for Minors

For working hours of more than 4.5 to 6 hours, minor trainees must take a break of at least 30 minutes. If the working time exceeds 6 hours, the break time increases to 60 minutes. There must be a minimum rest period of 12 hours between two working days. Generally, minors are not allowed to work after 8 PM, with exceptions in certain sectors like hospitality.

Adult Trainees

The Working Time Act applies to adult trainees. The maximum weekly working time is 48 hours. A daily working time of 8 hours is permitted, which can be extended to up to 10 hours under certain conditions if a balance is achieved within six months. Typically, a 5-day workweek is observed, meaning 8 hours of work each day.

Break Regulations for Adults

For adult trainees working more than 6 hours, a minimum break of 30 minutes is required. If the working time exceeds 9 hours, the break time must be at least 45 minutes. There must be a minimum rest time of 11 hours between working days.

Special Regulations and Exceptions

Certain industries, such as hospitality or healthcare, have different working time regulations. In these sectors, it may occur that minor trainees are allowed to work in the evening, provided that legal requirements are met. Shift work or weekend work is also possible in some fields, but strict regulations apply, especially for minor trainees.

in 🇩🇪 Germany