Ausbildung Working Hours and Holidays

October 27, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: The contract sets your daily training time. Trainees aged 18 and over may work up to 8 hours a day (10 with compensation); under 18, up to 8 hours a day and 40 a week. Holiday is at least four weeks (24 Werktage), or 25 to 30 Werktage if you are under 18. Probation lasts one to four months.

This guide explains the legal limits for working hours, breaks, overtime, holiday and probation in a dual Ausbildung. It is general information, not legal advice. Your contract, a collective agreement or a works agreement can give you more than the legal minimum, but not less. Nursing training has its own law, covered in our nursing guide. Visa and entry rules are outside the scope of this site.

Table of Contents

What the contract says about hours

Your training contract must state the regular daily training time, how overtime is paid or compensated, the holiday and the length of the probation period. Check these items in your contract, as explained in our guide to the Ausbildung contract. The legal limits below apply on top of the contract.

Hours for trainees aged 18 and over

The Working Hours Act (ArbZG) sets these limits:

Daily limit. Working time may not exceed 8 hours a day. It can be extended to 10 hours only if the average of 8 hours a working day is kept within six calendar months or 24 weeks.
Breaks. At least 30 minutes if you work more than 6 and up to 9 hours, and at least 45 minutes if you work more than 9 hours. Nobody may work more than 6 hours in a row without a break.
Rest. At least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest after the daily working time.

Hours for trainees under 18

The Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG) applies. IHK Magdeburg summarises the main rules:

Daily and weekly limit. No more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Breaks. At least 30 minutes if you work more than 4.5 and up to 6 hours, and at least 60 minutes if you work more than 6 hours.
Free time. At least 12 hours of uninterrupted free time after the working day.
Five-day week. Employment is generally allowed on five days a week. Saturday work is allowed in some sectors, such as retail, hotels and restaurants, transport and vehicle workshops. Sunday work is generally not allowed, with few exceptions.
Daily time window. Generally between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Some exceptions exist, for example for over-16s in restaurants and multi-shift businesses.
Medical check-up. Before you start, you must have a medical examination and give the certificate to your employer. IHK Magdeburg says it must not be older than 14 months.

School days and exams

Time at vocational school, including breaks, counts as training time, and your employer must release you for lessons and exams. IHK Magdeburg adds that trainees under 18 may not be employed after a school day with more than five lessons, and that nobody may be employed before lessons that begin before 9 a.m. See our guide to Berufsschule for the details on release and block weeks.

Overtime

The Vocational Training Act (BBiG) says work beyond the agreed regular daily training time must be paid separately or compensated with time off. IHK Ostwestfalen notes that this is an exception to the general rule that employment law leaves overtime pay to the contract. The employer usually chooses between pay and time off. Your tasks must also serve the training and suit your physical strength. See our Ausbildung salary guide for the general picture on pay.

Holiday

Your contract must state the number of holiday days. The law sets minimums, and collective agreements often give more:

Your age on 1 January of the year	Minimum holiday a year
Under 16	30 Werktage
Under 17	27 Werktage
Under 18	25 Werktage
18 or older	24 Werktage

What a Werktag is. Werktage are all calendar days except Sundays and public holidays, so Saturdays count even if you do not work on Saturdays. 24 Werktage are four weeks. On a five-day week, that equals 20 days of leave (24 ÷ 6 × 5).
When you take it. The employer sets the dates but must consider your wishes. For trainees under 18, the JArbSchG says holiday should be given during school holidays, and you get one extra day of leave for every school day you attend during your leave. IHK Magdeburg advises adults to avoid school days too.
Full entitlement. According to IHK Magdeburg, you earn the full annual holiday for the first time after the training has lasted six months.

If you are ill

Your training pay continues if you cannot take part for a reason you are not responsible for, for up to six weeks, under the BBiG. Tell your employer immediately and, on school days, the school as well. IHK Magdeburg says a medical certificate is due at the latest on the third day, so ask your employer and doctor how certificates are handled today.

Probation

Length. Every training starts with a probation period of at least one and at most four months. A shorter or longer period is not effective, according to IHK Magdeburg.
During probation. Either side can end the training at any time, without a notice period and without giving a reason. Special protections, such as maternity protection, still apply.
After probation. The training can be ended only for an important reason, by either side without notice, or by you with four weeks’ notice if you give up the training or change your occupation. An important-reason termination is invalid if the facts have been known for more than two weeks.
Form. Termination must be in writing, and after probation it must give the reason. IHK Magdeburg says to send a copy to the chamber and inform the school.
By agreement. You and the employer can end the training together with a termination agreement (Aufhebungsvertrag). It needs no reason or notice period, must be in writing, and for minors needs the legal representatives’ consent.

If something seems wrong, step by step

Compare your actual hours, overtime and holiday with your contract.
Keep a simple record of your daily start and end times, breaks and school days.
Check the legal limits above for your age.
Talk to your trainer or training manager calmly and refer to the contract.
If that does not help, contact the training advisers of the responsible chamber. IHK Magdeburg says they advise both companies and trainees, including in disputes.

Common mistakes

Not counting school time. It counts as training time.
Accepting unpaid overtime. The BBiG requires pay or time off.
Counting holiday in days without checking the Werktage rule.
Quitting without knowing the notice rules. After probation you need an important reason or four weeks’ notice.
Not telling the school about an illness on a school day.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours a week do trainees work?

It depends on the daily training time in your contract and the legal limits. Trainees under 18 may work at most 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

How much holiday do I get?

At least 24 Werktage (four weeks) if you are 18 or older on 1 January, and 25 to 30 Werktage if you are younger. Your contract states the exact number.

Can my employer ask me to work overtime?

Work beyond the regular daily training time must be paid separately or compensated with time off. The legal limits for your age still apply, and your tasks must serve the training.

Can I quit during probation?

Yes. During probation, either side can end the training at any time without notice or a reason. After probation, you can quit with four weeks’ notice if you give up the training or change your occupation.

Can I take holiday on school days?

Holiday should be given during school holidays. For trainees under 18, the law gives an extra day of leave for every school day attended during leave.

Sources

Last updated: 27 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

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