Berlin – The coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is pushing a reform that would abolish the traditional eight‑hour workday and replace it with a statutory weekly maximum of 48 hours, a move that has ignited a heated public debate.
What the proposal entails
The government plans to introduce a weekly working‑time ceiling of 48 hours, allowing employers in sectors such as tourism, gastronomy and care to schedule longer daily shifts – even up to twelve hours – provided the weekly limit is respected. The current Working Hours Act already caps weekly work at 48 hours over six days and the average weekly working time in 2024 was 34.3 hours, well below that ceiling.
Public reaction – IU study
A representative survey conducted by the IU Internationale Hochschule between 10 and 16 November 2025 questioned 2,000 employees aged 16 to 65. Seventy‑three point five percent of respondents rated a 48‑hour week as “negative” or “very negative”. The main reasons cited were insufficient time for family, friends, sport and hobbies, as well as health concerns.
When asked about their preferred work model, 44.7 % favoured a full‑time schedule of 35–40 hours per week, 33.9 % supported a four‑day week with 32 hours and full pay, and 18.5 % preferred part‑time arrangements of fewer than 35 hours.
Political and union response
Both the CDU and the CSU’s Markus Söder have argued that Germans need to work more, while the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) warns that the reform could grow a loophole for extending weekly hours beyond the current limit. Work‑life experts point to structural constraints – notably the lack of universal childcare and unresolved care‑sector issues – as barriers to longer working hours.
What could happen next?
The proposal is likely to be debated in the Bundestag, where the DGB may mobilise its members to oppose the amendment. If the law passes, employers in the highlighted sectors could test longer daily shifts, but they would still need to stay within the 48‑hour weekly cap. Conversely, strong public and union push‑back could force the coalition to revise the plan, perhaps by introducing safeguards such as mandatory rest periods or enhanced childcare provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the government’s main goal with the new work‑time reform?
To replace the eight‑hour day with a flexible weekly maximum of 48 hours, allowing longer daily shifts in certain sectors while maintaining the weekly cap.
How did the German public react to the idea of a 48‑hour workweek?
According to the IU study, 73.5 % of respondents view a 48‑hour week negatively, citing loss of personal time and health concerns.
Which work models do Germans currently prefer?
The same study found that 44.7 % prefer a 35‑40 hour full‑time week, 33.9 % favour a 32‑hour four‑day week with full pay, and 18.5 % opt for part‑time work under 35 hours.
How do you consider this proposed shift in working hours could reshape everyday life for German workers?
