To protect your health and safety, there are legal rules around working hours. These are laid out in the Dutch Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet). The law sets out things like:
how long you can work in one stretch
how much rest you need between shifts
how many hours you’re allowed to work on average per week, month, or three-month period.
For most people, these rules don’t cause any problems. But if you want to work extra hours during a period, for example, to save up some money, you might run into the limits. This could mean you’re unable to sign up for a shift, or that your shift applications are automatically withdrawn even after being accepted.
That’s why we’ve listed the most important rules below for you.
Maximum shift length
A shift can never be longer than 12 hours long and during your shift, you’re entitled to a break. The length of the break depends on how long you’re working and these breaks can be split up during your shift, as long as the total time is met.
Total shift time | Break |
4,5 hours | 15 minutes |
5,5 hours | 30 minutes |
10+ hours | 45 minutes |
2 different shifts in one day (for example 2x 4 hours) | 2 hours between two shifts |
You can split your 12-hour limit into two shorter shifts. Keep in mind that you must leave at least a 2-hour gap between shifts, as the system only allows you to apply for a second shift if there’s at least a 2-hour gap.
Rest time between shifts
After every workday, you’re entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of rest. And over a period of 7 or 14 days there are obligatory stretches of rest you need to take.
Period | Mandatory rest time |
Working day | 11 hours |
7 days | 11 hours after each shift + at least one 36 hour long rest period |
14 days | 11 hours after each shift + at least 2 X 32 hour long rest period |
Night shifts |
|
Per shift (max 10 hr) | 11 hours rest |
Shift takes place after 02.00 | 14 hours rest |
Limit on working hours per week
Even though you can work up to 12 hours in a shift, you can’t do that every day. There are rules for how many hours you can work in a week.
These limits are in place to make sure you still get enough time to rest and recover, even if you're working more temporarily.
Period | Max hours |
1 week | 60 hours |
4 weeks | 55 hours average |
16 weeks | 48 hours average |
Special rules for night shifts
If you prefer working night shifts, there are a few extra rules to be aware of. A shift counts as a night shift if any part of it falls between midnight and 6 AM. Night shifts can last a maximum of 10 hours.
If your shift ends after 2 AM, you must take at least 14 hours of rest afterward instead of 11. Also, you’re only allowed to work a maximum of 117 night shifts per year.
Hopefully, this information helps you better understand the rules around working hours and rest periods. Can’t sign up for a shift? Take a close look at your schedule around that shift and see if you still comply with these rules.