Portugal
The 4-Day
Work Week
in Portugal
How Portugal became one of the first nations to run a government-backed four-day work week pilot — and what happened next.
Portugal's Historic
Four-Day Week Pilot
2023
What the
Data Revealed
The results were compelling on both sides of the employer-employee divide. Here is what Portugal's landmark trial found after six months of reduced hours with no reduction in pay.
- 95% of companies rated the trial positively at the end of the programme.
- Revenue held steady or grew — no net financial harm was reported across participating organisations.
- Easier talent attraction — companies reported stronger recruitment pipelines and reduced difficulty filling roles.
- Higher workplace happiness — visible improvements in morale and staff engagement were noted by managers.
- Better work quality — capacity and output quality both improved during the shorter week.
- Only 4 of 41 companies returned to a five-day schedule after the trial ended.
- 13.7% fewer weekly hours on paper — actual hours worked fell from 41.1 to 36.5 per week.
- Work-life conflict plummeted — those finding it hard to balance work and family fell from 46% to just 8%.
- 65% spent more time with family after the reduction in working hours came into effect.
- 85% said they'd only accept a five-day role at another company if offered at least a 20% pay rise.
- 19% reduction in work exhaustion levels over the six-month pilot period.
- Work-life balance struggles fell from 50% to 16% across participating employees.
Mental Health
Improvements
One of the most striking findings from Portugal's pilot was the measurable reduction in negative mental health symptoms across the workforce.
Working Life
in Portugal Today
Beyond the pilot, here is a broader picture of how work is structured and experienced across Portugal in 2024.
Standard Working Hours
The legal maximum is 8 hours daily and 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Most workdays run 9 am–6 pm with a one-hour lunch break. Average actual hours sit at approximately 39 per week.
~39 hrs/week averageOvertime Rules
Overtime is only permitted when extra workload doesn't justify new hiring. It is capped at 2 hours per day and 150–175 hours annually. Pay starts at 125% for the first extra hour, rising to 137.5% thereafter.
125%+ overtime payVacation & Holidays
Full-time employees receive a minimum of 22 paid annual leave days, plus 13 national public holidays and additional local holidays specific to their region.
22 days + 13 public holidaysRemote Work
Approximately 19% of Portugal's workforce operates remotely, concentrated in IT, insurance, and specialist roles. Lisbon leads in remote worker density. Employers cannot force remote work on unwilling employees.
~19% remote workforcePart-Time Employment
According to the ILO, 32% of Portugal's employed population works part-time — though this share has declined over the past decade as full-time employment opportunities have expanded.
32% part-time rateGovernment Position
Portugal's government has been among Europe's strongest advocates for flexible working. Strong legislative frameworks protect worker rights to disconnect and to remote work under specific family circumstances.
Strong government backingHow the Pilot
Unfolded
Programme Announced
The Portuguese government, in collaboration with Birkbeck University and Henley Business School, announced the launch of a six-month pilot across 41 private-sector companies.
Pilot Launches
41 companies and over 1,000 employees began operating on a four-day schedule with full pay maintained. Baseline measurements of health, productivity, and revenue were recorded.
Interim Check-ins
Researchers conducted mid-point surveys and interviews. Early signals showed improvements in mental health and work-life balance scores among employees.
Pilot Concludes
The formal six-month programme ended. 37 of the 41 companies chose to continue with the reduced schedule — only 4 reverted to five days.
Results Published
Full results confirmed that 95% of companies rated the trial positively, mental health symptoms fell across the board, and revenue remained stable or grew.