Everything you need to know about breaks

In Spain, labor law establishes certain mandatory breaks during the workday to ensure the health and well-being of employees. These breaks are regulated by the Workers' Statute and other regulations. Below, I explain the most important breaks that must be respected:

1. Daily rest between shifts 🛏️

Regulations state that there must be at least 12 hours of rest between the end of one workday and the start of the next. This means that if an employee finishes work at 8 p.m., they cannot start their next shift before 8 a.m. the following day.

2. Weekly rest 📅

Every employee is entitled to a minimum weekly rest of 1 consecutive day and a half. This rest is usually on weekends, but it can vary depending on the company's or sector's needs. For example, in some sectors, such as hospitality or retail, this rest period may be distributed differently.

3. Break during the workday (pauses) 🍽️

For workdays longer than 6 continuous hours, employees are entitled to a minimum 15-minute break. This break is mandatory, and its purpose is to let the employee relax and recover energy to continue the workday.

• If the workday is longer than 9 hours, the break can be 30 minutes long (this break does not count as part of the workday, so the employee is not paid for the break time).

4. Breaks in night work 🌙

Employees who work night shifts (work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.) are entitled to an additional break to compensate for the effort of night work. This break must be at least 12 hours between the end of one night shift and the start of the next.

5. Breaks for minors under 18 👶

Employees under 18 have special regulations. In addition to daily and weekly rest, they must also enjoy an additional rest period in which they cannot be made to work more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Why are these breaks important?

Mandatory breaks in Spain are not only a legal obligation, but also fundamental for employees' physical and mental health. They ensure proper energy recovery and help prevent issues such as stress or work fatigue, which improves productivity and reduces the risk of workplace accidents. 🌟

So, whether you are an employer or an employee, it is essential to know these regulations to make sure the breaks within the workday are properly respected. 😌✔️

Updated on: 23/04/2026