What are break rules?
Break rules set the minimum unpaid breaks an employee must take during a working day, depending on the length of the shift. They are part of working-time law and differ per country.
Minimum breaks in the Netherlands and Germany
In the Netherlands, adults who work more than 5.5 hours are entitled to at least 30 minutes of break, which may be split into two breaks of 15 minutes. Above 10 hours the minimum is 45 minutes, in parts of at least 15 minutes. A collective agreement may deviate, but at least 15 minutes after 5.5 hours always applies.
In Germany, § 4 ArbZG requires at least 30 minutes for more than 6 and up to 9 hours, and at least 45 minutes for more than 9 hours. Breaks may be split into blocks of at least 15 minutes, and nobody may work more than 6 hours in a row without a break.
- NL: more than 5.5 h → 30 min
- NL: more than 10 h → 45 min
- DE: more than 6 h → 30 min
- DE: more than 9 h → 45 min
Breaks on timesheets
Breaks are usually unpaid, so they come off the hours worked. A timesheet that only shows a total of hours cannot prove that breaks were taken; record the break length, and ideally when it was taken. TimeTracking records breaks per shift and flags shifts where the break is shorter than the statutory minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Is a break counted as working time?
Statutory breaks are generally unpaid and not counted as working time. Some collective agreements or contracts pay for breaks; check yours.
Related pages
Break and rest checker
Check a shift against Dutch and German minimum break and 11-hour daily rest rules.
Rest time
The legal minimum of uninterrupted time off between two working days and within each week.
Germany
ArbZG: 8 hours per working day (up to 10), breaks after 6 hours, 11 hours of rest, and mandatory time recording since the 2022 BAG ruling.
Netherlands
Arbeidstijdenwet: 12 hours per shift, 60 per week, 11 hours of daily rest, breaks after 5.5 hours and strict night-shift rules.
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