Impact of Spain’s New 37.5-Hour Workweek Law on Remote Employees

Summary

Spain’s cabinet has approved a decree to reduce the legal working week from 40 to 37.5 hours without salary cuts, extending the measure to all employees—including those working remotely. ^{[oai_citation:0‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-ministers-agree-cut-legal-working-week-375-hours-2025-02-04/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} The draft law, endorsed by unions CCOO and UGT, mandates digital time-tracking and reinforces the right to disconnect, with fines up to €10,000 per affected worker for non-compliance. ^{[oai_citation:1‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/after-deal-with-unions-spain-inches-closer-shorter-work-week-2024-12-20/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [oai_citation:2‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} It is slated to be debated in Parliament and comes into full effect by December 31, 2025. ^{[oai_citation:3‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [oai_citation:4‡grupo2000.es](https://www.grupo2000.es/ayudas-de-hasta-150-000-euros-por-reducir-la-jornada-laboral-a-4-dias/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} However, official documents focus on core parameters and lack detailed protocols for telework contract adjustments, pro-rata salary calculations, and digital downtime policies. ^{[oai_citation:5‡expinterweb.mites.gob.es](https://expinterweb.mites.gob.es/participa/listado/download/58e3800b-9e2c-4ff1-9dd2-316d5792d396?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}

1. Law Overview

On February 4, 2025, Spain’s cabinet approved reducing the statutory workweek to 37.5 hours with no pay reduction, as part of a flagship coalition reform. ^{[oai_citation:6‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-ministers-agree-cut-legal-working-week-375-hours-2025-02-04/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} Following 11 months of negotiations, Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz secured backing from major unions UGT and CCOO, though employers’ association CEOE remains opposed, citing cost and competitiveness concerns. ^{[oai_citation:7‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/after-deal-with-unions-spain-inches-closer-shorter-work-week-2024-12-20/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [oai_citation:8‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-ministers-agree-cut-legal-working-week-375-hours-2025-02-04/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} The measure will calculate weekly hours on an annual average, treating any excess as overtime, and imposes tougher digital record-keeping and inspection rights. ^{[oai_citation:9‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/after-deal-with-unions-spain-inches-closer-shorter-work-week-2024-12-20/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} Draft approval by the Council of Ministers means the proposal now heads to Parliament, aiming for publication in the BOE by late 2025. ^{[oai_citation:10‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}

2. Implications for Remote Employees

2.1 Contract Renegotiation & Pro-Rata Salary Adjustments

Remote contracts must reflect the new 37.5-hour maximum, reducing weekly obligations while maintaining current salary levels. ^{[oai_citation:11‡boe.es](https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2025/04/25/pdfs/BOE-A-2025-8348.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} Employers should draft amendment agreements specifying the revised hours, calculate daily pro-rata salary adjustments, and confirm that benefits and allowances remain unchanged. ^{[oai_citation:12‡lamoncloa.gob.es](https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/consejodeministros/resumenes/paginas/2025/040225-rueda-de-prensa-ministros.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}

2.2 Mandatory Digital Time-Tracking

The reform mandates a digital logging system accessible to labor inspectors, covering start, end, and breaks—even for home-based workers. ^{[oai_citation:13‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} Companies must select platforms compliant with data-protection laws and train remote staff on accurate real-time recording. ^{[oai_citation:14‡eurofound.europa.eu](https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/system/files/2022-09/ef22032en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}

2.3 Right to Disconnect & Work-Life Balance

Spanish law formalizes the right to disconnect, preventing employer-initiated contact outside scheduled hours and holiday periods. ^{[oai_citation:15‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2024-12-21/claves-de-la-reduccion-de-jornada-375-horas-semanales-un-registro-horario-mas-estricto-y-mayores-multas-a-quien-incumpla.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)} Remote workers should receive written policies defining response windows and establishing auto-reply templates to support downtime. ^{[oai_citation:16‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2024-08-28/comence-a-sentirme-abusada-asi-es-vivir-sin-desconectar-del-trabajo.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}

3. Actionable Steps for Employers & Teleworkers

1. Review & Amend Contracts: Issue addenda reflecting 37.5-hour weeks and unchanged salary. ^{[oai_citation:17‡boe.es](https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2025/04/25/pdfs/BOE-A-2025-8348.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}
2. Implement Digital Tracking: Deploy compliant software and host training webinars. ^{[oai_citation:18‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}
3. Define Disconnect Protocols: Publish internal policies, set automated after-hours responses, and monitor adherence. ^{[oai_citation:19‡eurofound.europa.eu](https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/system/files/2022-09/ef22032en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}
4. Communicate & Educate: Hold Q&A sessions with remote teams to clarify rights and obligations. ^{[oai_citation:20‡El País](https://elpais.com/economia/2025-04-24/diaz-anuncia-que-el-consejo-de-ministros-del-martes-enviara-la-ley-de-reduccion-de-jornada-al-parlamento.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}
5. Monitor & Adjust: Audit time logs monthly and address non-compliance with corrective action, avoiding fines up to €10,000 per worker. ^{[oai_citation:21‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/after-deal-with-unions-spain-inches-closer-shorter-work-week-2024-12-20/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}