Hours and workday · 4 min read
Working hours 2027: 46 hours a week
Short answer
From January 1, 2027 the maximum workday is 46 hours per week. It is the first reduction of the reform. Salary does not go down.
The 2027 limits
- Ordinary workday: 46 hours per week.
- Overtime at double: up to 9 per week.
- Overtime at triple: up to 4 more.
- Maximum in one day: 12 hours, adding everything.
How to distribute 46 hours
- Six days of 7 hours 40 minutes.
- Five days of 8 hours and one Saturday of 6.
How to do the math by hand
A schedule of 8 hours, 6 days a week, adds up to 48 hours. In 2027 the maximum is 46: 2 hours are left over, which are overtime or must be reorganized.
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.
| 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.
Common mistakes
- Adding up overtime by pay period (quincena) instead of by week.
- Forgetting the maximum of 4 overtime hours a day and 4 days a week.
- Not counting as working time the time a person is at the company's disposal.
- Dividing by 8 hours when the shift is night or mixed.
- Paying at double time hours that already correspond to triple time.
What to do now
- Measure actual hours for the last four weeks.
- Identify who exceeds the maximum workweek for the year.
- Redesign the shifts.
- Define who authorizes overtime.
- Check each person's cap every week.
Related terms
What are the internal work regulations. The internal work regulations are the document with the mandatory rules inside the company: schedules, breaks, pay days and disciplinary measures.
What is the seventh day (séptimo día). 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. REPSE is the STPS registry required of every company that provides specialized services or work to another company with its own staff.
Frequently asked questions
What happens with the 47th hour?
It is overtime and is paid at double.
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.
Who monitors compliance?
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, through inspections.
Where do I find the official text?
In the Official Gazette of the Federation of May 1, 2026 and in the current version of the Federal Labor Law published by the Chamber of Deputies.
Does this replace the advice of a lawyer?
No. It is general information. For decisions about your company, consult a labor lawyer.
Legal basis and sources
- Working hours: articles 58 to 64 of the LFT and second transitory provision of the decree.
- Decree amending the Federal Labor Law on the reduction of the working week. Official Gazette of the Federation, May 1, 2026.
- Federal Labor Law, current text. 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.