EU overtime, pay transparency and employer cost tools
EU law sets shared limits, not pay rates. The Working Time Directive caps the average working week at 48 hours including overtime, but each country decides what overtime pays. Some set a premium in law — 25% then 50% in France, 50% in Poland — while Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the Nordic countries leave it mostly to collective agreements.
Two newer EU rules reach most employers: the Pay Transparency Directive, with the first gender pay gap reports due in June 2027, and the AI Act, whose high-risk rules for recruitment and HR software apply from 2 December 2027.
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By WageHour Tools Editorial Team Verified against official sources October 4, 2026 How we research
Maximum working week
48h average
including overtime
Overtime premium
Set nationally
by law or collective agreement
Pay gap reports
From June 2027
employers with 150+ staff
AI Act: HR systems
2 Dec 2027
high-risk obligations apply
Overtime by country
All 27 member states Country picker and the Working Time Directive France overtime 25% then 50% above the 35-hour week Germany overtime Set by collective agreement or contract Poland overtime 50% premium above 40 hours Ireland overtime No statutory premium; contract terms apply Netherlands overtime Set by collective agreement or contract
Pay transparency and AI in HR
Employer cost by country
What an employee costs on top of gross salary, from each country’s statutory contributions.
Germany Employer social contributions France Employer social charges Spain Social security contributions Italy Employer social contributions Netherlands Employer insurance premiums Ireland Employer PRSI Poland Employer social contributions Portugal Social security contributions Belgium Employer social security Austria Employer contributions All countries 20 countries compared 13th month salary calculator Pro-rated 13th and 14th month pay
Official sources