Working time rules in the Netherlands
The Arbeidstijdenwet sets the outer limits for working hours, rest and breaks for employees in the Netherlands. Here is what it says, what it means for rosters and timesheets, and where to check the official text.
Last reviewed: · Arbeidstijdenwet
The rules at a glance
| Topic | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum per shift | 12 hours | art. 5:7 |
| Maximum per week | 60 hours | art. 5:7 |
| Average per week | At most 55 hours over any 4 weeks and at most 48 hours over any 16 weeks | art. 5:7 |
| Daily rest | 11 consecutive hours after a working day; once in every 7 × 24 hours this may be shortened to 8 hours if the work requires it | art. 5:3 |
| Weekly rest | 36 consecutive hours in every 7 × 24 hours, or 72 hours in every 14 × 24 hours (may be split into blocks of at least 32 hours) | art. 5:5 |
| Breaks | More than 5.5 hours: at least 30 minutes (may be split into 2 × 15). More than 10 hours: at least 45 minutes (in blocks of at least 15). A collective agreement may deviate, but at least 15 minutes after 5.5 hours always applies | art. 5:4 |
| What counts as a night shift | A shift with more than 1 hour of work between 00:00 and 06:00 | art. 1:7 |
| Length of a night shift | At most 10 hours; 12 hours is allowed at most 5 times per 14 × 24 hours and 22 times per 52 weeks, followed by at least 12 hours of rest | art. 5:8 |
| Rest after night shifts | 14 hours after a night shift that ends after 02:00 (once per 7 × 24 hours: 8 hours); 46 hours after a series of 3 or more night shifts | art. 5:8 |
| Number of night shifts | At most 36 night shifts ending after 02:00 in any 16 weeks; a series is at most 7 consecutive shifts | art. 5:8 |
| Records | The employer keeps proper records of working and rest times so compliance can be checked | art. 4:3 |
Last reviewed:
Hours: the shift, the week and the averages
The Dutch law works with three layers. A single shift may last at most 12 hours and a single week at most 60 hours. On top of that, the average over time is capped: at most 55 hours per week over any 4 weeks, and at most 48 hours per week over any 16 weeks. A busy week of 60 hours is allowed, but it has to be balanced out by quieter weeks.
For planners, the averages are where things go wrong. A roster can look fine week by week and still break the 16-week average during a long peak season. That is why it pays to track hours continuously, not only when payroll runs.
Rest and breaks
After a working day, an employee needs 11 consecutive hours off. Once in every 7 × 24 hours, this may be shortened to 8 hours when the nature of the work requires it. Over the week, the employee gets 36 consecutive hours of rest in every 7 × 24 hours, or 72 hours in every 14 × 24 hours, which may be split into blocks of at least 32 hours.
Breaks depend on shift length. More than 5.5 hours of work means at least 30 minutes of break, which may be split into two breaks of 15 minutes. More than 10 hours means at least 45 minutes, in parts of at least 15 minutes. A collective agreement (cao) can set different break rules, but after 5.5 hours at least 15 minutes always applies.
Night shifts
A shift counts as a night shift when more than 1 hour of work falls between 00:00 and 06:00. Night shifts may last at most 10 hours. A 12-hour night shift is allowed at most 5 times in 14 × 24 hours and 22 times in 52 weeks, and must be followed by at least 12 hours of rest.
After a night shift that ends after 02:00, the employee needs 14 hours of rest (once per 7 × 24 hours this may be 8 hours). After a series of 3 or more night shifts, 46 hours of rest apply. In any 16 weeks, at most 36 night shifts may end after 02:00, and a series contains at most 7 consecutive shifts. Logistics, security and care rosters hit these limits first.
Records, and how TimeTracking helps
The employer must keep proper records of working and rest times, so the Labour Inspectorate can check compliance. In practice that means start, end and breaks per shift, not just a weekly total.
TimeTracking records start, end and breaks for every shift, from the phone, the web or a shared kiosk. The Dutch rule pack warns about Arbeidstijdenwet issues such as short breaks and less than 11 hours of rest, and the roster flags rest-time conflicts before a shift is published. Every change is kept in the audit log, and approved hours go to payroll as an export. TimeTracking is free for up to 5 users; Core costs €1 and Pro €3 per user per month.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours may I work per day in the Netherlands?
Under the Arbeidstijdenwet, an adult employee may work at most 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, with averages of at most 55 hours over 4 weeks and 48 hours over 16 weeks.
When is a break mandatory?
After more than 5.5 hours of work, at least 30 minutes, which may be split into 2 × 15 minutes. After more than 10 hours, at least 45 minutes. A cao may deviate, but at least 15 minutes after 5.5 hours always applies.
How much rest is required after a night shift?
At least 14 hours after a night shift that ends after 02:00 (once per 7 × 24 hours: 8 hours), and 46 hours after a series of 3 or more night shifts.
Does my collective agreement override these rules?
A cao can deviate on some points, such as breaks, within limits set by the law. Check your cao alongside the Arbeidstijdenwet.
Related pages
Break and rest checker
Check a shift against Dutch and German minimum break and 11-hour daily rest rules.
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.
Belgium
Labour Act of 1971: 8 hours per day and 38 hours per week on average, a break after 6 hours, 11 hours of daily rest and 35 hours of weekly rest.
Rest time
The legal minimum of uninterrupted time off between two working days and within each week.
Shift allowance (ORT)
Extra pay for hours worked at inconvenient times such as evenings, nights, weekends or public holidays; in the Netherlands called ORT.
Rosters
Plan shifts, publish them to the team and compare planned with worked hours.
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Free for up to 5 users. Core from €1 per user per month, everything included.
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