Administrative services A-Z

You need a permit from the locally competent authority for occupational health and safety if you want to work longer hours at night in your company.

Permission for longer night work is provided by law for:

• Shift work
• construction and assembly sites
• seasonal and campaign operations, if the increase in working hours is compensated for by a reduction in working hours on other days

Maximum limits apply to certain exceptions.

• Working hours may not exceed 48 hours per week on average over 6 calendar months or 24 weeks.

The exact costs will be determined after the approval and depend on the number of employees.

You apply for the permit in writing using the following steps:

• You submit an appropriate application to the Office of Occupational Safety and Health.
• You submit all documents required for a decision on your application.
• The responsible authority checks the documents for completeness and, if necessary, requests additional documents.
• If you meet all the requirements, you will receive a corresponding approval notice.
• If you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a rejection notice.
• You will receive a fee notice.

There is no deadline.

• § Section 15 Working Hours Act (ArbZG)
• § Section 6 Working Hours Act (ArbZG)

• Brochure on the Working Hours Act from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) with information on night work

Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)