UK Guide: How Many Hours Is Full-Time Work

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How Many Hours Is Full-Time Work in the UK?

In the UK, full-time work is generally considered to be around 35 to 40 hours per week. However, there is no legal definition of “full-time” — it’s up to your employer to set what they consider full-time hours in your contract.

Most commonly, full-time employees work:

  • 5 days a week,

  • Around 7 to 8 hours per day,

  • Adding up to 35–40 hours per week.

Some roles may define full-time as slightly more or less than this, but anything above 30 hours is generally considered full-time by most employers and HMRC.

What Does the Law Say?


The Working Time Regulations 1998 say that you:

  • Shouldn’t work more than 48 hours a week on average, unless you choose to opt out

  • Are entitled to at least one day off per week

  • Must have a 20-minute rest break if you work more than 6 hours a day

  • Should get 11 hours' rest between working days

  • Must have at least 28 days' paid annual leave (including bank holidays) if you’re full-time

These rules apply whether you’re working full-time or part-time — your rights scale depending on your hours.

What Counts as Full-Time for Tax and Benefits?


For tax, HMRC generally treats 30 hours or more per week as full-time. This matters for:

  • Working Tax Credit (if still claiming it — now largely replaced by Universal Credit)

  • Some Universal Credit calculations

  • Entitlement to certain employer benefits (e.g. pensions, sick pay)


Can Full-Time Be More Than 40 Hours?


Yes — some industries regularly go beyond this, such as:

  • Hospitality

  • Healthcare

  • Construction

  • Retail management

  • Legal and finance sectors

But remember, under UK law, you can’t be forced to work more than 48 hours per week on average, unless you’ve signed a written opt-out.

What About Part-Time and Zero-Hours?

  • Part-time usually means less than 30 hours per week

  • Zero-hours contracts mean there’s no guaranteed minimum, so it varies week to week

Whether full-time or part-time, your legal rights remain the same — including holiday pay, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal.

Final Thought


Full-time work in the UK is typically considered to be 35–40 hours per week, spread across five days. While there's flexibility depending on the employer and sector, anything over 30 hours is usually seen as full-time for legal and tax purposes. Always check your employment contract and speak to HR if you're unsure — especially when it comes to overtime, breaks, or leave entitlement.