Which EU directive limits average weekly working time to 48 hours, including overtime?

Working Time Directive 2003/88/EC limits average weekly working time to 48 hours, including overtime.

The directive sets minimum rules for working time across the European Union. Its central weekly limit is an average of 48 hours, normally calculated over a reference period and including overtime. It also addresses daily rest, weekly rest, paid annual leave, and night work.

The rule is an average rather than necessarily a rigid cap on every individual week. Member states may use reference periods and, under defined conditions, some systems allow workers to opt out of the 48-hour limit. National law and collective agreements can provide stronger protections.

The directive replaced and consolidated earlier working-time measures. It is separate from the Posted Workers Directive, which concerns employment conditions for workers temporarily sent to another EU member state.