Changes to Spanish labor code regulations – new reform and working hours in 2025

Spain is starting a revolution in working hours – will Poland follow suit?

The Spanish government has made a groundbreaking decision to reduce the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours. This is a real revolution in the European labor market! Do you think it’s impossible? And yet, despite opposition from employers, the government has passed a bill and it will soon be put to a vote in parliament.

Reducing working hours without reducing pay is a topic that arouses great emotion both in Spain and in other European Union countries. In Poland, too, the Ministry of Labor is analyzing the possibility of introducing similar solutions. Are you wondering what the future of work in Europe will look like and whether a new trend of reducing working hours is on the horizon?

Spanish reform – who is behind the changes?

The initiative to shorten the working week in Spain comes from the left-wing Sumar party, which forms a minority ruling coalition with the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). It is worth noting that this point was one of the main elements of the coalition agreement between these parties.

Deputy Prime Minister and Sumar leader Yolanda Diaz, who has been negotiating with employers and trade unions for months, makes no secret of her satisfaction with the adoption of the bill. In her opinion, the changes will significantly improve the quality of life of employees, while increasing their productivity.

“This proposal means a better life, fewer working hours, and greater economic efficiency,” Diaz emphasized during a press conference after the government meeting.

Controversy surrounding the reduction of working hours in 2025

However, not everyone is happy about the planned changes. The Spanish Employers’ Association (CEOE) is sounding the alarm, warning that reducing working hours could significantly reduce the competitiveness of companies and increase the costs of doing business. Entrepreneurs fear that they will be forced to hire more employees or pay for overtime, which will translate into increased financial burdens.

Even within the government itself, doubts have been raised. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has expressed concerns that shortening the working week could disrupt the stability of the labor market and negatively affect economic growth. In his opinion, the reform requires more detailed economic analysis.

Critical voices are also coming from some economists, who point to the potential impact of the changes on the small and medium-sized enterprise sector. In their view, large corporations will find it easier to adapt to the new regulations than smaller companies, which may have problems reorganizing their work.

Will parliament approve the reform?

This question remains open. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government does not have a majority in parliament, which means that it will have to seek the support of other parties. The votes of Catalan separatists, who have so far remained skeptical about the proposed changes, may prove crucial.

We can expect intense political negotiations in the coming weeks. The government will have to convince undecided parliamentarians that the reform will bring more benefits than losses. This will not be an easy task, given the strong resistance from business circles.

The Spanish economy and new regulations

Interestingly, the introduction of a shorter working week is planned at a time when the Spanish economy is booming. In 2024, the country’s GDP grew by an impressive 3.4%, one of the best results in the entire European Union. Forecasts for 2025 predict a slight slowdown in growth to 2.4%, but Spain remains one of the strongest economies in Europe.

In December 2024, the British magazine The Economist named Spain the “best economy of the year,” showing that the country is doing very well compared to other European countries. This strong economic condition could provide a solid foundation for the introduction of ambitious social reforms.

Supporters of change argue that now, while the economy is strong, is the time to introduce measures to improve the quality of life of citizens. Opponents of the reform, on the other hand, fear that the new regulations may hamper further growth.

Will Poland also shorten the working week?

In Poland, the average working week is currently 40 hours, as in most European Union countries. However, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy is also analyzing the possibility of introducing changes in this area.

The ministry headed by Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk is considering two solutions:

• reducing working hours from an average of 40 hours to 35 hours per week
• introducing a four-day working week

In order to make the most advantageous decision, the ministry has requested opinions from several research institutions. The Central Institute for Labor Protection and the Institute of Occupational Medicine are to determine how much time per day an employee is able to work effectively. The Institute of Labor and Social Affairs is analyzing the economic and financial costs of reducing the working week to four days.

Based on this research, the ministry plans to conduct a detailed assessment of the impact of possible changes on the public finance sector, the competitiveness of the economy, and the functioning of businesses. The planned solutions are also to be subject to broad discussion with social partners, including representatives of employers’ organizations and trade unions in the Social Dialogue Council.

Working time standards in European Union countries – how do we compare to others?

It is worth taking a look at the situation in other European Union countries. Is the introduction of a 35-hour or four-day working week realistic, given the practices of our neighbors?

The only EU country that has already decided to introduce a 35-hour working week is France. This change was introduced in 2005, but it only applies to certain groups of employees, mainly manual workers. The reduced working hours do not apply to managers or sales representatives.

In Denmark, the average working week is 37 hours, and in Belgium it is 38 hours. Most EU countries (as many as 22) apply “standard” working hours, i.e. 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

The longest working hours are in the Netherlands, where the maximum working time is 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week, although in practice the Dutch usually work between 36 and 40 hours per week.

If Poland decided to introduce a 35-hour working week, we would be among the European leaders, alongside France, as the country with the shortest working week.

EU regulations on working time

All EU Member States must comply with the minimum requirements set out in Directive 2003/88/EC on the organization of working time. According to this directive, the average weekly working time may not exceed 48 hours over a maximum four-month reference period.

The directive also guarantees employees the right to at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest per day and 24 hours of uninterrupted rest per seven days. However, member states may introduce more favorable regulations for employees, which is what Spain is planning to do.

The Polish Labor Code currently provides for an 8-hour daily norm and an average 40-hour weekly norm for working time. The regulations also guarantee employees the right to at least 11 hours of daily rest and at least 35 hours of weekly rest.

Is a shorter work week the future?

More and more studies indicate that reducing working hours can bring measurable benefits to both employees and employers. Employees who have more time for rest and personal life are usually more productive, creative, and committed to their work. The risk of burnout and health problems related to overwork is also reduced.

On the other hand, entrepreneurs face organizational challenges and potentially higher costs. The key will be to find a balance between improving the quality of life of employees and maintaining the competitiveness of companies.

The Spanish reform could be an important test for the whole of Europe. If it proves successful, other countries, including Poland, are likely to follow suit. However, if significant economic problems arise, this may discourage other countries from introducing similar changes.

What next for the Spanish reform?

Will the law come into force? The fate of the reform now lies in the hands of the Spanish parliament. Key votes and negotiations will take place in the coming months to decide the future of the bill. If it is passed, Spain will become one of the pioneers of a new approach to working time in Europe.

It is worth following developments, as the Spanish experience could have a huge impact on the debate on working time in Poland as well. Will the Spanish reform prove successful? Will Poland follow the same path? We will have to wait for the answers to these questions, but one thing is certain—the discussion on reducing working time has entered a decisive phase and will be one of the most important socio-economic topics in the coming years.