Working hours in Spain: it's different from the Netherlands ☀️
Working hours in Spain: it's different from the Netherlands ☀️
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When you think of Spain, do you immediately picture late lunches, terraces, and the famous siesta?
We get it. But what are working hours in Spain really like?
If you come here to work, the rhythm takes some getting used to. Later days, a longer lunch, and dinner at 9 pm. But honestly? You'll adjust faster than you think. 😉
What does a Spanish workday look like?
The traditional Spanish workday starts later than in the Netherlands and runs into the evening:
🕙 Start around 8:00 – 9:00 am
🍽️ Long lunch break around 2:00 pm
🌆 Work continues until 6:00 pm
Sounds long? At many modern and international companies, you simply work regular office hours, with one shorter lunch break. The best of both worlds.
Note: this is an average 🤓
Important to know: "the" Spanish working hours don't really exist.
What you read above is the classic office rhythm. But depending on the sector, it can look completely different:
🏥 In healthcare, you often work in shifts, day and night.
🛍️ In retail and hospitality, you tend to work evenings and weekends.
🏭 In industry, rotating shifts are very normal.
In short: working hours depend heavily on where you end up. So always check with your (future) employer, so you don't get caught off guard.
And what about the siesta? 😴
The most famous Spanish custom of all.
Traditionally, the siesta falls between 2 pm and 5 pm, when it's hottest outside. In smaller towns, shops close during this time and reopen later.
But the truth? Fewer and fewer Spaniards actually take an afternoon nap, especially in big cities and at international companies. What does remain: social life shifts later. Having dinner at 9 pm is simply normal here. 🍷
What does this mean for you?
Coming to work in Spain from the Netherlands? Then there's a bit of a shift to make:
🌞 Later days, but also more evening left
🍹 Lunch at 2 pm, dinner at 9 pm
⚖️ At international companies, often a rhythm close to the Dutch one
The best of both worlds
At an international company, you usually work set office hours, without the long siesta break.
That means: a tight workday, followed by plenty of time for the beach, a terrace, or sports in the park. ☀️
Ready for the Spanish rhythm?
At weWow, Dutch-speaking colleagues from all over Europe work together for international brands. From our office in sunny Valencia, you'll build your career while enjoying the relaxed Spanish lifestyle.
Curious whether a vacancy suits you? Check out our careers page. Maybe we'll grab a coffee together in Valencia soon. ☀️🚀
When you think of Spain, do you immediately picture late lunches, terraces, and the famous siesta?
We get it. But what are working hours in Spain really like?
If you come here to work, the rhythm takes some getting used to. Later days, a longer lunch, and dinner at 9 pm. But honestly? You'll adjust faster than you think. 😉
What does a Spanish workday look like?
The traditional Spanish workday starts later than in the Netherlands and runs into the evening:
🕙 Start around 8:00 – 9:00 am
🍽️ Long lunch break around 2:00 pm
🌆 Work continues until 6:00 pm
Sounds long? At many modern and international companies, you simply work regular office hours, with one shorter lunch break. The best of both worlds.
Note: this is an average 🤓
Important to know: "the" Spanish working hours don't really exist.
What you read above is the classic office rhythm. But depending on the sector, it can look completely different:
🏥 In healthcare, you often work in shifts, day and night.
🛍️ In retail and hospitality, you tend to work evenings and weekends.
🏭 In industry, rotating shifts are very normal.
In short: working hours depend heavily on where you end up. So always check with your (future) employer, so you don't get caught off guard.
And what about the siesta? 😴
The most famous Spanish custom of all.
Traditionally, the siesta falls between 2 pm and 5 pm, when it's hottest outside. In smaller towns, shops close during this time and reopen later.
But the truth? Fewer and fewer Spaniards actually take an afternoon nap, especially in big cities and at international companies. What does remain: social life shifts later. Having dinner at 9 pm is simply normal here. 🍷
What does this mean for you?
Coming to work in Spain from the Netherlands? Then there's a bit of a shift to make:
🌞 Later days, but also more evening left
🍹 Lunch at 2 pm, dinner at 9 pm
⚖️ At international companies, often a rhythm close to the Dutch one
The best of both worlds
At an international company, you usually work set office hours, without the long siesta break.
That means: a tight workday, followed by plenty of time for the beach, a terrace, or sports in the park. ☀️
Ready for the Spanish rhythm?
At weWow, Dutch-speaking colleagues from all over Europe work together for international brands. From our office in sunny Valencia, you'll build your career while enjoying the relaxed Spanish lifestyle.
Curious whether a vacancy suits you? Check out our careers page. Maybe we'll grab a coffee together in Valencia soon. ☀️🚀
When you think of Spain, do you immediately picture late lunches, terraces, and the famous siesta?
We get it. But what are working hours in Spain really like?
If you come here to work, the rhythm takes some getting used to. Later days, a longer lunch, and dinner at 9 pm. But honestly? You'll adjust faster than you think. 😉
What does a Spanish workday look like?
The traditional Spanish workday starts later than in the Netherlands and runs into the evening:
🕙 Start around 8:00 – 9:00 am
🍽️ Long lunch break around 2:00 pm
🌆 Work continues until 6:00 pm
Sounds long? At many modern and international companies, you simply work regular office hours, with one shorter lunch break. The best of both worlds.
Note: this is an average 🤓
Important to know: "the" Spanish working hours don't really exist.
What you read above is the classic office rhythm. But depending on the sector, it can look completely different:
🏥 In healthcare, you often work in shifts, day and night.
🛍️ In retail and hospitality, you tend to work evenings and weekends.
🏭 In industry, rotating shifts are very normal.
In short: working hours depend heavily on where you end up. So always check with your (future) employer, so you don't get caught off guard.
And what about the siesta? 😴
The most famous Spanish custom of all.
Traditionally, the siesta falls between 2 pm and 5 pm, when it's hottest outside. In smaller towns, shops close during this time and reopen later.
But the truth? Fewer and fewer Spaniards actually take an afternoon nap, especially in big cities and at international companies. What does remain: social life shifts later. Having dinner at 9 pm is simply normal here. 🍷
What does this mean for you?
Coming to work in Spain from the Netherlands? Then there's a bit of a shift to make:
🌞 Later days, but also more evening left
🍹 Lunch at 2 pm, dinner at 9 pm
⚖️ At international companies, often a rhythm close to the Dutch one
The best of both worlds
At an international company, you usually work set office hours, without the long siesta break.
That means: a tight workday, followed by plenty of time for the beach, a terrace, or sports in the park. ☀️
Ready for the Spanish rhythm?
At weWow, Dutch-speaking colleagues from all over Europe work together for international brands. From our office in sunny Valencia, you'll build your career while enjoying the relaxed Spanish lifestyle.
Curious whether a vacancy suits you? Check out our careers page. Maybe we'll grab a coffee together in Valencia soon. ☀️🚀
Ready to explore? Check out our newest vacancies today!
Ready to explore?
Check out our newest vacancies today!
settle for nothing less than wow
settle for
nothing less
than wow
settle for nothing less than wow
When you think of Spain, do you immediately picture late lunches, terraces, and the famous siesta?
We get it. But what are working hours in Spain really like?
If you come here to work, the rhythm takes some getting used to. Later days, a longer lunch, and dinner at 9 pm. But honestly? You'll adjust faster than you think. 😉
What does a Spanish workday look like?
The traditional Spanish workday starts later than in the Netherlands and runs into the evening:
🕙 Start around 8:00 – 9:00 am
🍽️ Long lunch break around 2:00 pm
🌆 Work continues until 6:00 pm
Sounds long? At many modern and international companies, you simply work regular office hours, with one shorter lunch break. The best of both worlds.
Note: this is an average 🤓
Important to know: "the" Spanish working hours don't really exist.
What you read above is the classic office rhythm. But depending on the sector, it can look completely different:
🏥 In healthcare, you often work in shifts, day and night.
🛍️ In retail and hospitality, you tend to work evenings and weekends.
🏭 In industry, rotating shifts are very normal.
In short: working hours depend heavily on where you end up. So always check with your (future) employer, so you don't get caught off guard.
And what about the siesta? 😴
The most famous Spanish custom of all.
Traditionally, the siesta falls between 2 pm and 5 pm, when it's hottest outside. In smaller towns, shops close during this time and reopen later.
But the truth? Fewer and fewer Spaniards actually take an afternoon nap, especially in big cities and at international companies. What does remain: social life shifts later. Having dinner at 9 pm is simply normal here. 🍷
What does this mean for you?
Coming to work in Spain from the Netherlands? Then there's a bit of a shift to make:
🌞 Later days, but also more evening left
🍹 Lunch at 2 pm, dinner at 9 pm
⚖️ At international companies, often a rhythm close to the Dutch one
The best of both worlds
At an international company, you usually work set office hours, without the long siesta break.
That means: a tight workday, followed by plenty of time for the beach, a terrace, or sports in the park. ☀️
Ready for the Spanish rhythm?
At weWow, Dutch-speaking colleagues from all over Europe work together for international brands. From our office in sunny Valencia, you'll build your career while enjoying the relaxed Spanish lifestyle.
Curious whether a vacancy suits you? Check out our careers page. Maybe we'll grab a coffee together in Valencia soon. ☀️🚀