BlogWho Works the Hardest in Europe? Countries With the Longest and Shortest Working Weeks in 2025
Working hours vary significantly across Europe, with employees in some countries spending almost eight more hours at work each week than workers in others.
According to the latest Eurostat data, the average actual working week across the European Union stood at 35.9 hours in 2025. However, national figures reveal major differences in how much time people spend on the job depending on where they live and work.
Greece Tops the List for Longest Working Week
Among EU member states, Greece recorded the longest average working week at 39.6 hours. Bulgaria and Poland followed closely behind at 38.7 hours, while Lithuania ranked fourth with 38.4 hours.
The figures highlight a continuing divide between parts of Southern and Eastern Europe and several Western and Northern European countries, where average working weeks are considerably shorter.
At the other end of the scale, the Netherlands recorded the shortest working week in the EU at just 31.9 hours. Denmark and Germany followed with 33.9 hours, while Austria averaged 34 hours per week.
Why Do Working Hours Differ So Much?
Labour market experts say there is no single explanation for the gap. Instead, a combination of labour policies, employment patterns and economic structures influences how many hours people work.
Researchers point to collective bargaining agreements, the prevalence of part-time jobs and the overall makeup of national economies as some of the main factors shaping working-time trends across Europe.
The Netherlands Shows the Impact of Part-Time Work
The Netherlands provides one of the clearest examples of how employment patterns affect national averages.
Nearly 43% of workers in the country are employed part-time, giving the Netherlands one of the highest rates of part-time employment in Europe. As a result, the country's average working week is significantly lower than the EU average.
Despite the shorter national average, many Dutch employees working full-time still work schedules close to 40 hours per week. This suggests that the country's low overall figure is largely driven by the high number of people choosing part-time employment.
The Role of Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining
Experts also highlight the influence of trade unions and collective bargaining systems.
Countries where unions play a larger role in negotiating working conditions often record shorter working weeks. Strong collective bargaining agreements can limit excessive overtime, improve compliance with labour standards and create greater flexibility for employees.
These arrangements are particularly common in several Northern and Western European countries, many of which report below-average working hours.
Self-Employed Workers Tend to Work Longer
The structure of the workforce also plays an important role.
Self-employed individuals generally work more hours than employees, especially business owners who manage staff and operations. While self-employment offers greater control over working schedules, it often comes with additional responsibilities that extend beyond standard office hours.
Countries with a larger share of self-employed workers may therefore record longer average working weeks.
Some Industries Require Longer Working Hours
Working time can also vary significantly depending on occupation.
Across the European Union, skilled workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded the longest average working week in 2025 at 42 hours. Managers followed with 40.6 hours, while armed forces personnel averaged 39.4 hours per week.
By contrast, workers in elementary occupations recorded the shortest working week at 31.8 hours. Clerical support staff averaged 34 hours, while service and sales workers worked an average of 34.5 hours per week.
Germany Works Fewer Hours Than France, Italy and Spain
Among Europe's largest economies, Germany recorded the shortest average working week at 33.9 hours.
Workers in France averaged 35.6 hours per week, while Italy reached 36.1 hours and Spain recorded 36.3 hours.
The figures mean German employees work around two hours less per week on average than workers in Spain and Italy.
Working Time Remains a Key Labour Market Issue
As governments across Europe continue debating productivity, labour shortages and work-life balance, working hours remain an important indicator of how labour markets are evolving.
While some countries are experimenting with shorter working schedules and greater flexibility, others continue to record some of the longest working weeks in the European Union.
The latest Eurostat figures show that where people live, the industries they work in and the structure of their labour market can have a significant impact on the number of hours they spend at work each week.