Working hours for children
Children over 13 years old can work
- 2 hours on a school day after 7am and before 7pm, with no more than 1 hour in the morning
- 2 hours on a Sunday
- 12 hours in a school week
Working hours on Saturdays and during school holidays vary depending on the child's age
13-14 year olds can work
- 5 hours on a Saturday
- 5 hours a day from Monday to Saturday during school holidays, up to a total of 25 hours a week
15-16 year olds can work
- 8 hours on a Saturday
- 8 hours a day from Monday to Saturday during school holidays, up to a total of 35 hours a week
All children who are working, even if they are not getting paid or if it is for a family business, need a work permit.
Receiving a National Insurance Card does not mean that a young person can start full-time work. Children cease to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the school year in which they reach 16 years old. At this point, they can start full-time work and no longer need a work permit.