--- title: "Article 66 of the LFT: the new overtime rules · Sicheca" description: "What the amended article 66 says about overtime and how its phase-in applies." url: https://sicheca.com/en/blog/articulo-66-lft-horas-extra lang: en alternate_es: https://sicheca.com/blog/articulo-66-lft-horas-extra.md --- Law and fines · 3 min read # Article 66 of the LFT: the new overtime rules Short answer Article 66 allows extending the workday for extraordinary circumstances, with payment of 100% more. The cap is 12 hours per week, spread over up to 4 hours per day and a maximum of 4 days. ## The phase-in The 12-hour cap is reached in 2030. Before that, the fourth transitory provision applies: 9 hours in 2026 and 2027, 10 in 2028 and 11 in 2029. ## The common mistake Reading the article without the transitory provision and authorizing 12 hours when it is still 9. | Year | Maximum working hours | Double-time overtime | Triple-time overtime | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | 48 h | 9 h | 4 h | | 2027 | 46 h | 9 h | 4 h | | 2028 | 44 h | 10 h | 4 h | | 2029 | 42 h | 11 h | 4 h | | 2030 | 40 h | 12 h | 4 h | Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 1, 2026, second and fourth transitory provisions, and article 68 of the LFT. Each change applies from January 1. ## The reform in one minute The reform has two parts. On March 3, 2026, article 123 of the Constitution was amended to set the 40-hour workweek. On May 1, 2026, the Federal Labor Law was amended, which is where the detail is. - The maximum working week drops from 48 to 40 hours, two hours per year, between 2027 and 2030. - Overtime has a weekly cap: it is paid at double time up to the cap and at triple time for up to 4 more hours. - Each company must electronically record the start and end time of each person's workday. - Not keeping that record is fined 250 to 5,000 UMA. - Salary and benefits cannot go down because of the reduction in hours. What remains pending are the STPS general rules, which will define who the record applies to and what exceptions there will be. They take effect on January 1, 2027. ## Common mistakes - Assuming the obligation does not apply because you are a small business. - Believing a device or fingerprint is required. - Confusing the date the law took effect with the date of the STPS rules. - Reading the 2030 caps as if they already applied. - Trusting a provider that claims to be certified by the authority. ## What to do now 1. Read what article 132, section XXXIV, requires. 2. Review how you record your staff's clock-in and clock-out today. 3. Choose an electronic recording method. 4. Agree on it in writing with each person. 5. Check the STPS general rules when they are published. ## Related terms **[What is the seventh day (séptimo día)](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/septimo-dia).** The seventh day is the paid rest day, at full salary, that every person is entitled to for every six days worked. **[What is REPSE](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/que-es-el-repse).** REPSE is the STPS registry required of every company that provides specialized services or work to another company with its own staff. **[Minimum wage in Mexico: how much it is and how it is used](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/salario-minimo-en-mexico).** The minimum wage is the least a person can receive for a workday. ## Frequently asked questions ### What are "extraordinary circumstances"? The law does not list them. Overtime should not be the normal way to cover operations. ### Does this replace the advice of a lawyer? No. It is general information. For decisions about your company, consult a labor lawyer. ### Does the law require a particular system? No. It asks that the record be electronic and include the start and end time for each person. ### What happens when the STPS publishes its rules? They will specify who the record applies to and its exceptions. It is worth checking them as soon as they appear in the Official Gazette of the Federation. ### Is the reform already in force? Yes. The reform to the Federal Labor Law took effect on May 1, 2026. The reduction in working hours starts on January 1, 2027. ## Legal basis and sources - Overtime: articles 66 and 68 of the LFT and fourth transitory provision of the decree. - Fines: articles 992, 994 and 1002 of the LFT. - [Decree amending the Federal Labor Law on the reduction of the working week](https://sidof.segob.gob.mx/notas/docFuente/5786537). Official Gazette of the Federation, May 1, 2026. - [Federal Labor Law, current text](https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LFT.pdf). Chamber of Deputies. **How we write this content.** The Sicheca team writes it from the official text of the law. When something is not yet defined by the authority, we say so. It is general information and does not replace the advice of a lawyer or an accountant. ## Keep reading [ Law and fines **Article 68 of the LFT: triple-time hours and daily maximum**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/articulo-68-lft-horas-triples) [ Law and fines **Article 58 of the LFT: spreading the workday by agreement**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/articulo-58-lft-distribucion-de-la-jornada) [ Law and fines **The seven transitory provisions of the 40-hour reform**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/transitorios-de-la-reforma-de-40-horas) [ Law and fines **Fine for not keeping the electronic working-time record**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/multa-por-no-llevar-registro-de-jornada) [See all articles](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/) Who publishes this blog Sicheca is a digital time clock for recording working time from your phone. We write these guides from the official text of the law, so any business can understand what applies to it. If you want to try it, there is a waitlist. 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