Time tracking – mandatory since 2022

Yes. In its landmark decision of 13 September 2022 (ref. 1 ABR 22/21), the Federal Labour Court (BAG) established that employers in Germany are obliged to introduce a system for recording all working time. The court relied on a 2019 ruling by the European Court of Justice (case C-55/18), which requires EU member states to introduce objective, reliable and accessible time-recording systems. This is not legal advice – consult a professional if in doubt.

The obligation applies immediately, even without detailed implementing legislation. Those who keep no records risk being unable to substantiate compliance and may face legal consequences. Zeitbro is a straightforward tool that lets employees and freelancers record their hours independently and without gaps.

The Working Hours Act (ArbZG) sets the substantive limits: daily working time must not exceed eight hours – an extension to ten hours is permitted if the excess is compensated within six months. The ArbZG also mandates minimum breaks: at least 30 minutes for work periods exceeding six hours, and at least 45 minutes for those exceeding nine hours.

Only those who record their hours precisely can demonstrate that these limits are being observed. Zeitbro applies the statutory breaks automatically and flags when the daily threshold is crossed – without any manual calculation on your part.

Without documented working hours, proof is lacking if a dispute arises. Whether it concerns overtime pay, holiday entitlement or a government inspection – anyone unable to produce records bears the burden of proof. Authorities can impose fines; persistent violations of the ArbZG may also carry criminal consequences.

For employees, the absence of records makes it much harder to enforce claims for additional pay. Freelancers and self-employed workers lose the evidential basis for invoices and client communication. Zeitbro closes this gap with minimal effort.

Zeitbro is tailored to the needs of employees, commuters and freelancers. You start the day with one click; Zeitbro records start, end and breaks – automatically calculated in line with ArbZG requirements. Your hours account shows you at any time how much overtime has accrued.

At the end of the month you export a complete report as CSV or PDF. That serves as a personal record and gives you a clear overview of your hours worked. No spreadsheets, no manual recalculation – just two clicks a day.