Labor reform ·
40-hour workweek calendar in Mexico, year by year (2026–2030)
How many weekly hours and overtime hours the law allows each year until the 40-hour week is reached in 2030, according to the decree published in the DOF.
The decree published on May 1, 2026 does not cut the workweek all at once: it does it in stages, always starting on January 1 of each year (second transitory article). Here is the full table.
| Year | Maximum weekly hours | Overtime (staged cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 48 hours | 9 |
| 2027 | 46 hours | 9 |
| 2028 | 44 hours | 10 |
| 2029 | 42 hours | 11 |
| 2030 | 40 hours | 12 |
Second transitory article (working hours) and fourth transitory article (overtime) of the decree.
What to know
- In 2026 the maximum workweek is still 48 hours. The first reduction arrives on January 1, 2027.
- From May 1 to December 31, 2026 there is a window for employees and employers to adjust their work processes (third transitory article).
- No pay cut. The seventh transitory article says the reduction of working hours cannot mean lower wages, salaries or benefits.
- Daily hours. Article 61 keeps eight hours for the day shift, seven for the night shift and seven and a half for the mixed shift.
- Distribution. Article 58 allows working hours to be distributed by mutual agreement between employer and employee.
How to prepare, year by year
Every January the weekly cap changes. If you record attendance with the date and time of each check-in and check-out, you can see who is close to the limit, how much overtime is building up and where to reorganize shifts before it becomes a problem. Request a PPanel demo to see it with your workforce.
Sources
- Decree amending the Federal Labor Law, Official Gazette (DOF), May 1, 2026 (in Spanish)
- Constitutional reform decree, article 123, section A, subsections IV and XI (DOF, in Spanish)
- INEGI, value of the UMA (Unit of Measure and Update)
Informational content based on the text published in the DOF. It is not legal advice. PPanel is a recording tool: subscribing to it does not release a company from its obligations, and legal compliance is the responsibility of each employer. Consult your labor attorney for your case. Last reviewed: October 12, 2026. The general rules from the Labor Ministry (STPS) on electronic time recording have not been published yet; we will update this guide when they are.