Greece recorded the longest average working week in the European Union in 2025, with employees working nearly four hours more than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.
The figures cover both full-time and part-time employment among people aged 20 to 64. Workers in Greece averaged 39.6 actual working hours per week, compared with the EU average of 35.9 hours.
The data come before the implementation of Greece’s new labor law introducing the 13-hour workday in early 2026. The legislation is intended to give businesses greater flexibility, but it has also raised concerns that employees could face even longer working schedules.
Greece ahead of other EU countries in working week hours
Greece remained at the top of the EU ranking, ahead of Bulgaria and Poland, where workers averaged 38.7 hours per week, and Lithuania, where the average stood at 38.4 hours.
At the other end of the scale, the Netherlands recorded the shortest working week in the bloc, with employees working an average of 31.9 hours. That is almost eight hours fewer per week than workers in Greece.
Denmark and Germany followed with 33.9 hours each, while Austria recorded an average of 34.0 hours.
EU moves toward shorter working week
The Eurostat figures also point to a broader European trend toward shorter working weeks. Since 2015, the EU average has declined by one hour, reflecting a gradual reduction in actual working time across the bloc.
Eurostat notes that the figures refer to actual hours worked during the survey week, rather than standard contractual hours. The data therefore capture real working patterns and reflect differences between member states, professions, genders, and employment categories.
How long is your work week❓💼
In 2025, people in the EU worked an average of 35.9 hours per week in main job.Longest in:
🇬🇷Greece (39.6 hours)
🇧🇬Bulgaria & 🇵🇱Poland (both 38.7)Shortest:
🇳🇱Netherlands (31.9 hours)
🇩🇰Denmark & 🇩🇪Germany (both 33.9)➡️https://t.co/NCRno8YIeN pic.twitter.com/V5WKyzxQ4l
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) May 27, 2026
Greeks among Europe’s Longest-Working employees
In Greece, men in full-time employment worked an average of 41.8 hours per week in 2025, one of the highest levels in Europe. Women in full-time employment in Greece worked an average of 38.8 hours.
Self-employed workers also reported significantly longer working hours than salaried employees, underlining the pressure on independent professionals and business owners.
Across the EU, men in full-time employment worked an average of 39.4 hours per week, while women averaged 37.6 hours.
Gender differences across the EU
Among women, the longest average working weeks were recorded in Slovenia, at 39.2 hours, followed by Lithuania, at 39.1 hours.
The shortest weekly working hours for women were recorded in the Netherlands, where the average stood at 35.0 hours. Finland followed with 35.6 hours, Ireland with 35.9 hours, and Belgium with 36.4 hours.
For men, only four EU countries recorded average weekly working hours of 40 hours or more. Greece led the ranking with 41.8 hours, followed by Poland with 40.6 hours, Slovenia with 40.2 hours, and Cyprus with 40.0 hours.
The shortest working weeks for men were found in Finland and the Netherlands, both at 38.4 hours, followed by Hungary and Sweden, at 38.5 hours.
