Overtime and Break Laws in Mexico (2026)
Ley Federal del Trabajo (as reformed DOF 01-05-2026, reducción de la jornada laboral) · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
Double pay for overtime past 8 hours a day or the weekly limit (48 hours in 2026), triple pay once weekly overtime passes the yearly allowance (9 hours in 2026).
Breaks and lunch
At least 30 minutes of rest during a continuous shift. It counts as paid work time if the worker cannot leave the workplace.
Overtime in Mexico
- 2x pay for hours past 8 in a day.
- 2x pay for hours past 48 in a week.
- 3x pay for hours past 57 in a week.
- The 2026 reform sets the legal week at 40 hours, phased in each 1 January: 48 (2026), 46 (2027), 44 (2028), 42 (2029), 40 (2030).
- Double-time overtime allowance per week also phases: 9 hours (2026, 2027), 10 (2028), 11 (2029), 12 (2030). Hours beyond it, up to 4 more a week, are paid triple (200% extra). The week 57 row is 48 + 9 for 2026; update it yearly.
- From 2030 overtime may be spread up to 4 hours a day on at most 4 days a week. Ordinary plus overtime may never exceed 12 hours in a day.
- Daily maximum is 8 hours day shift, 7 night shift, 7.5 mixed shift. Hours can be distributed by agreement.
- Sunday work earns a premium of at least 25%. Work on the weekly rest day is paid double on top of the rest-day wage. One paid rest day per six days worked.
Averaging over a pay period: Not allowed (weekly hours may be distributed across days by agreement)
What two weeks of work come to
Worked out by the rule above (2x after 48h in a week, 2x after 8h in a day, 3x after 57h in a week). Hours.
| Two weeks of | Regular | Overtime (2x) | At 3x |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days of 8 hours, two weeks (80h) | 80 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 days of 10 hours, two weeks (100h) | 80 | 20 | 0 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 96 | 12 | 0 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 70 | 10 | 0 |
Breaks and lunch in Mexico
- Meal break: 1 × 30 minutes, unpaid, on any shift.
| Shift | Rest breaks | Meal break |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 6 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 8 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 10 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 12 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
- Art. 63 sets no hour threshold; it applies to any continuous (jornada continua) shift, modeled as afterHours 0.
- Art. 64: if the worker cannot leave during rest or meal time, that time is counted as effective (paid) working time.
- At least one paid rest day per six days worked.
Pay by Mexico rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick Mexico: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in Mexico?
Double pay for overtime past 8 hours a day or the weekly limit (48 hours in 2026), triple pay once weekly overtime passes the yearly allowance (9 hours in 2026).
Can overtime be averaged over two weeks or a pay period in Mexico?
Not allowed (weekly hours may be distributed across days by agreement)
What breaks are required in Mexico?
At least 30 minutes of rest during a continuous shift. It counts as paid work time if the worker cannot leave the workplace.