Employment & Labour Law · European Union
Reclaim Your Working Hours With the Right Lawyer By Your Side
Unpaid overtime, endless shifts, rest breaks that never happen, contracts that expect you to be ‘always on’ — working time is one of the most heavily regulated parts of employment, and one of the most routinely ignored. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles working time cases in your country every day, from overtime claims through rest, holiday and scheduling disputes.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Whether your hours are too long, unpaid or badly recorded, they are not just an inconvenience — they are regulated
Working time is one of the most regulated parts of employment across Europe. EU rules set maximum weekly hours, minimum rest periods and paid breaks, while each country adds its own national limits, overtime rates and recording obligations. Yet employers frequently rely on employees not tracking their hours or not knowing what they can claim, and the result is routinely unpaid overtime, shifts that stretch well past the legal maximum, and rest periods that quietly disappear. Whether you are a full-time employee, a shift worker, or a manager whose contract expects constant availability, the specifics of your role and your country determine what you are owed. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles working hours disputes in your country every day.
Why working time disputes drag on
Working hours claims are usually won or lost on one thing.
The records — or the lack of them.
Without a clear log of when you worked, unpaid hours and missed breaks become very hard to prove later.
Unpaid overtime becomes the norm
Extra hours are asked for informally, absorbed into ‘the job’, and never paid. Over months this can amount to a significant sum — but only if you have the records and know the overtime rules that apply in your country.
Breaks and rest quietly disappear
Legal minimum rest periods and daily breaks are routinely skipped under pressure, with nobody formally agreeing to the exception. By the time you object, the pattern is treated as the accepted way things have always been done.
‘Always on’ availability expectations
On-call or hybrid roles can blur the line between work and rest, with employers expecting replies at all hours. Whether on-call time counts as working time is a real legal question that depends on your specific circumstances and country.
What you get
A working time lawyer who recovers what you are owed
We only match you with employment lawyers who handle hours, overtime and rest disputes regularly in your country.
Hours & overtime audit
Your lawyer reviews your contract, rotas, payslips and time records, then calculates how many hours you are owed and whether overtime or on-call time should have been paid under local rules.
Record-keeping guidance
Get practical advice on how to document your hours and rest periods going forward, so any future claim is supported by evidence rather than memory.
Negotiation with your employer
Most disputes resolve without a hearing. Your lawyer raises the issue formally and negotiates back pay or a corrected schedule on your behalf, without you facing your employer alone.
Labour court representation
If negotiation fails, your lawyer prepares your claim and represents you before the labour court, managing deadlines, the correct calculations and the supporting evidence from start to finish.
Coverage
Working hours lawyers across Europe
Working time rules are set nationally and differ sharply between countries, so the right lawyer is one who applies your country’s specific limits and overtime rules daily. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Working hours — common questions
What are the maximum working hours in Europe?
EU rules set a general maximum of 48 hours per week averaged over a reference period, together with minimum daily and weekly rest periods. Individual countries may set lower limits or apply opt-outs, so the exact cap that applies to your role depends on where you work and your contract.
Does overtime always have to be paid?
Not always — it depends on your contract and national rules. Some roles compensate overtime with time off in lieu, while others must pay a premium rate. A lawyer can confirm what applies to your specific situation and whether unpaid overtime is recoverable.
Does on-call or standby time count as working time?
Sometimes. Where you must remain available at or near the workplace and are not free to use the time for yourself, it can count as working time under EU case law. The answer depends heavily on your exact duties and location, so it is worth a legal review.
What should I do if my employer won’t give me rest breaks?
Start by recording your actual hours and missed breaks, and raise the matter in writing. If it is not resolved, an employment lawyer can advise whether the pattern breaches working time rules and help you pursue a formal complaint or claim.
How do I prove unpaid overtime?
Keep your own log of start and finish times, shifts and breaks, and save rota, email or app records where they exist. In some countries the employer is required to keep accurate records, and a lawyer can help you obtain them if they are being withheld.
Do I have to pay to get matched with a lawyer?
No. ELF matches you with a vetted employment lawyer free of charge, with no obligation to hire them. The lawyer then reviews your situation and explains your options and any fees before you commit to anything.
Free case review
Every unpaid hour is money you earned
Tell us about your hours and we’ll connect you with an employment lawyer who handles working time cases in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.