Breaks and rest periods

The Working Hours Act and collective agreements determine the minimum length of breaks. Employers must comply with the provisions on breaks and rest periods laid down in the Working Hours Act and collective agreements.

The work and rest periods of young employees differ from those of adults. A young employee is under 18 years old. As the applicable work and rest periods depend on the young employee’s age, the regulations applied to employees aged 13–14 years differ partly from those applied to employees aged 15–17 years.

Meal break

A meal break is a break during your workday allowing you to eat and rest. If your shift is at least 6 hours long (at least 4 hours and 30 minutes for employees under the age of 18), you’re entitled to a lunch break of at least half an hour (30 minutes).

A working day of less than 6 hours usually does not include a meal break. Meal breaks are usually not considered working time, which means that you’re not paid for that time.

Coffee break

A coffee break usually lasts 10–15 minutes. You’re usually entitled to a coffee break even during a working day of less than 6 hours. Coffee breaks are part of your working hours, which means that you will be paid for that time.

Daily rest period

The daily rest period means that you have the right to rest between shifts, usually for at least 11 hours. If you are 15–18 years old, you need to have an uninterrupted rest period of at least 12 hours a day. If you are under 15 years old, your uninterrupted rest period must be at least 14 hours a day.

Weekly rest

‘Weekly rest’ means that you are entitled to a longer rest period between work shifts once a week. Usually, the weekly rest period is at least 35 hours. Sometimes it may be shorter, but it must always be at least 24 hours. If you are under 18 years of age, your rest period is 38 hours.

Your employer is not allowed to disturb you during your weekly rest, which means that you cannot be asked to work during it. If possible, your day off must be a Sunday.