How overtime pay works in Europe
Unlike the US, the EU has no single statutory overtime multiplier. The EU Working Time Directive caps the average working week at 48 hours including overtime, but what you are paid for extra hours is set by national law, collective agreements, or your individual contract. France mandates a 25% premium for the first 8 overtime hours and 50% beyond; Germany typically relies on collective agreements (often 25–50%); the UK has no statutory minimum — overtime terms are whatever the contract says. Always check your contract or collective agreement first: the calculator below applies whatever multiplier you tell it to.
Methodology
Overtime pay = overtime rate × overtime hours
Total pay = (regular rate × regular hours) + overtime pay
The presets cover the common cases — 1.25×, 1.5× (time-and-a-half) and 2× (double time) — and the custom field handles anything else, such as France's 1.25×/1.5× split or Sunday premiums. Results are gross, before tax and social charges.
Worked example
€20/hour, 40 regular hours, 5 overtime hours at 1.5×: regular pay = €20 × 40 = €800; overtime rate = €20 × 1.5 = €30/hour; overtime pay = €30 × 5 = €150; total = €950. Those 5 overtime hours (11% of hours) produce nearly 16% of the week's pay — which is exactly why the multiplier matters when comparing jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What is time-and-a-half?
Your regular hourly rate multiplied by 1.5. At €20/hour, time-and-a-half is €30/hour. "Double time" is 2× the regular rate.
Is overtime legally required to be paid extra in the EU?
It depends on the country. France sets statutory premiums (25%, then 50%); in Germany and the UK the premium usually comes from collective agreements or your contract rather than statute. Check your contract.
Does the 48-hour EU limit include overtime?
Yes. The Working Time Directive limits the average week to 48 hours including overtime, averaged over a reference period (usually 4 months). Individual opt-outs exist in some countries, notably the UK.
Are overtime earnings taxed differently?
No — overtime pay is taxed as ordinary employment income at your marginal rate. Because it stacks on top of your regular pay, it is often taxed at your highest band, which surprises some workers on their first overtime payslip.
What if different overtime hours have different rates?
Run the calculator once per rate group and add the overtime-pay lines together — for example, one run at 1.25× for weekday overtime and another at 2× for Sundays.
Last reviewed September 2026