Break rules in DACH (DE/AT/CH)

Statutory break rules compared

Break rules differ between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Shiftdesk takes the country of each Location into account and validates breaks automatically as a plausibility aid.

Overview

Working time	DE (ArbZG §4)	AT (AZG §11)	CH (ArG Art. 15)
up to 5.5 h	no requirement	no requirement	no requirement
over 5.5 h up to 6 h	no requirement	no requirement	15 min
over 6 h up to 7 h	30 min	30 min	15 min
over 7 h up to 9 h	30 min	30 min	30 min
over 9 h	45 min	30 min	60 min

Germany (§4 ArbZG)

• Up to 6 h: no mandatory break
• More than 6 h and up to 9 h: at least 30 minutes
• More than 9 h: at least 45 minutes
• Breaks may be split into blocks of 15 minutes each

Austria (§11 AZG)

In Austria a uniform mandatory break of 30 minutes from 6 hours of working time applies. Splitting into two blocks of 15 minutes is permitted where operationally necessary.

Switzerland (Art. 15 ArG)

The Swiss rule is tiered: 15 min from 5.5 h, 30 min from 7 h, 60 min from 9 h. Where the employee must remain at the workplace (e.g. a till), the break counts as paid working time.

Configuration in Shiftdesk

Go to Settings → Locations and set the country per Location. Shiftdesk then applies the correct break logic automatically.

Note

Collective agreements and works agreements may prescribe stricter rules. When in doubt, consult a lawyer or tax advisor — Shiftdesk does not replace legal advice.