The article Is the time recording law coming in 2026? What companies need to know now first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
The obligation to record working hours has long been established in Germany – but how and when will it be regulated by law? 2026 could be the crucial year for companies. Anyone who relies on digital solutions now has a clear advantage. Because: Will the time recording law come in 2026?
Since the ruling of the Federal Labor Court (BAG) in September 2022, it has been clear: employers in Germany must record the working hours of their employees. This obligation applies to all industries, regardless of size or working model – whether office, field service or trade. The basis for this is the Occupational Safety and Health Act and a groundbreaking ruling by the European Court of Justice, which obliges all EU countries to record objective, reliable and accessible time.
So far, Germany does not have its own time recording law. But the discussions in 2025 were intense: How should time recording actually take place in the future? The main focus is on the question of whether electronic systems will become mandatory for everyone – including small businesses and senior managers.
2025: Digitalization and preparation in companies
Many companies have used the past few months to digitize existing processes and make them legally compliant. The direction is clear: the obligation to record time is already in place, the upcoming law will only regulate details and exceptions. Those who rely on digital solutions today are optimally positioned for the future.
Discover digital time recording with clockin
What does the Time Recording Act 2026 bring?
The new federal government is likely to put the issue back on the agenda next year. The aim is to convert the requirements of the BAG ruling into an independent time recording law. The most important key points that are expected:
- Electronic time recording systems as standard
- Exceptions for small businesses
- Clearly regulated storage and proof obligations
- Promoting digital solutions
This makes it clear: Companies that still work with Excel or timesheets will be under pressure to take action when the law comes into force. Digital time recording is becoming the new standard – not only legally, but also organizationally.
Why Germany needs digital time recording
Frederik Neuhaus, CEO and co-founder of clockin, puts it in a nutshell: “The last thing Germany needs is less digitalization.” According to Bitkom, while a quarter of companies continue to work with paper and Excel, errors, data loss and enormous administrative effort arise.
- Efficiency and digitalization: Digital time recording saves time, money and nerves. It creates the basis for modern business processes.
- Protection of workers: Tamper-proof, digital working time recording protects against minimum wage fraud and unfair working conditions.
Digital tools like clockin have long been more than administrative instruments. For millions of small and medium-sized companies, they are the door opener to true digitalization.
clockin: The solution for medium-sized businesses
While politics is still being discussed, many companies are already taking action themselves clockin Medium-sized companies can digitize their working time recording easily and without an IT project. The app meets all the requirements of the BAG ruling and optimally prepares companies for the upcoming law:
- Legally compliant and tamper-proof
- Minute-by-minute recording of work, project and break times
- Mobile use – ideal for trades, care, building cleaning and field service
- Seamless interfaces to payroll accounting (DATEV, Lexware Office, etc.)
- Ready to use straight away – without training or IT effort
The advantage: Companies not only become legally secure, but also more efficient. Digital time recording is the lever for a modern and fair working world.
Now digitize in a legally secure manner with clockin
The article Is the time recording law coming in 2026? What companies need to know now appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the implementation of a time recording law in 2026 is very likely. With increasing concerns about work-life balance, employee rights, and fair compensation, the push for more stringent time tracking measures is gaining momentum.
Companies need to start preparing for this potential law now by investing in robust time tracking and monitoring systems. This includes implementing software that can accurately record and report on employee hours, ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.
Additionally, companies should focus on creating a culture of transparency and accountability around time tracking. This means clearly communicating expectations to employees, providing training on how to accurately record time, and addressing any discrepancies or issues promptly.
Overall, companies in the Tech Industry need to be proactive in adapting to potential changes in time recording laws to stay ahead of the curve and maintain a positive work environment for their employees.
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