site.btaIs Four-Day Workweek Gaining Ground in Balkans?

While the four-day workweek is not a new concept and has already been adopted in various countries and companies worldwide, it is now cautiously entering discussions and pilot programmes across the Balkans. Studies show that such a model helps reduce stress, improve work-life balance, and increase productivity.

The Balkan region remains home to some of the longest working weeks in Europe. According to a Eurostat report from May 2025, the average working week in Europe is 36 hours, with Bulgaria averaging 39 hours. Topping the list are Turkiye (43.1 hours), Serbia (41.3 hours), Bosnia and Herzegovina (41.2), and Greece (39.8). Among EU countries, Bulgaria and Greece report the longest working weeks.

Despite this, several Balkan countries are now considering or testing more flexible work schedules, including variations of the four-day workweek. Below is a summary of current developments across the region:

Greece

Greece has submitted for public discussion a draft bill proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, which provides for more flexible working hours for employees,  including the possibility for parents to work four days a week, 10 hours a day, so that they can spend an extra day with their children. In fact, this option has already existed, but only for six months of the year, and the bill extends it to the whole year.

The proposal also introduces provisions allowing employees to work up to 13 hours per day for a single employer, an option previously available only to those with multiple employers. The measure would apply solely on a voluntary basis and is capped at 150 hours of overtime annually. It has drawn criticism from unions and opposition parties, who argue that it undermines collective bargaining and raises concerns about overwork. Overtime will be compensated at 20% above the regular rate for hours up to the 10th per day, and at 40% above the regular rate for hours between the 10th and 13th.

The opposition left-wing party SYRIZA saw the bill as a de facto abolition of collective labour agreements and legalization of employer arbitrariness at the expense of workers, state television ERT reported.

Vima outlet writes that trade unions object to the possibility of a 13-hour working day for one employer, given that in most European countries working hours are being reduced rather than increased.

The Labour Ministry rejects fears that the eight-hour working day will be affected and points out that the possibility of overtime exists in all European countries. The Ministry also specifies that the possibility of overtime work from 10 to 13 hours per day exists only with the consent of the employee.

Slovenia

Slovenia plans labour reforms from January 1, 2026, offering more flexible options for workers nearing retirement, wrote the Slovenian website 24 ur. Those over 58 or with 35-plus years of service may choose to reduce their working hours, including options like a free Friday, longer weekends, or six-hour workdays.

The reform introduces the “80-90-100” model: 80% working time, 90% pay, and 100% social benefits, inspired by successful pilots in Iceland, Ireland, and Germany. Slovenia’s Ministry of Labour says that, if successful, the model could expand further by 2028 to include Saturday work bonuses, mandatory Christmas bonuses, and a 38-hour workweek.

Turkiye

Despite having one of the longest workweeks globally (45.7 hours), Turkiye is moving toward legal frameworks that support flexible work models, including the four-day workweek. According to private broadcaster CNN Turk, the country ranks among the top countries in both Europe and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in terms of average weekly working hours, surpassed only by Colombia.

Earlier this year, Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Isıkhan signaled upcoming reforms aimed at promoting flexible working arrangements. He emphasized that employee health, workplace safety, and overall well-being will be priorities in the new policies.

According to local reports, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, is developing a framework that would apply to both the private and public sectors. The proposed changes include options for remote work, part-time schedules, shift work, and a four-day workweek with 10-hour days, Donanım Haber reported.

While a four-day workweek has not yet been formally introduced at the national level, the model is already being tested in practice. Last year, one private company became the first in Turkiye to adopt the four-day schedule. A survey conducted among its employees found that the new system improved loyalty, productivity, motivation, and work-life balance by more than 85%, Milliyet reported.

Montenegro

The Montenegrin government has proposed a seven-hour workday as part of broader labour reforms. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic has expressed confidence that the proposed new working time model will be acceptable to both employers and trade unions.

However, the Montenegrin Employers Federation (UPCG) disagrees, stating that the country currently lacks the conditions to implement such a model, HINA reported. Suzana Radulovic of UPCG noted that the association has opposed the idea from the outset, arguing that it is premature and being pursued "without a serious assessment of its impact on the Montenegrin economy."

The Union of Free Trade Unions, meanwhile, acknowledged the business sector’s concerns but expressed optimism that Montenegro will move in this direction.

The proposal was a campaign promise of Spajic’s “Europe Now” movement.

Romania

Romania already has a legal framework allowing flexible work schedules, and interest in a four-day workweek is growing. Nearly 47% of employees support the model, according to a June 2025 study.

Although legislative initiatives have been introduced in 2016, 2017, and 2022, experts note that the existing Labour Code already permits such arrangements. Several models are being tested, including four 10-hour days with three days off, a reduced 32-hour week with a 20% salary cut, hybrid models offering half-day or full-day breaks every two weeks.

Pro TV and Antena 3 report growing adoption among IT, marketing, and consulting sectors. Romania’s Labour Inspection confirmed that 119 companies declared intentions to shift to a four-day schedule in 2025.

Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, discussions on reducing working hours are ongoing, though no official legislative measures have been implemented to date.

In Croatia, the news website Index reports that some IT companies adopted shorter workweeks during the COVID-19 pandemic and chose to retain the model afterward, citing improved employee motivation.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the portal Ljubuski reports that several companies have introduced shortened workweeks and flexible working hours on a trial basis.

In Serbia, the Association of Independent Trade Unions told Euronews Serbia that the issue of a shorter working week has been on the agenda for several years, with the most recent initiative discussed on June 26. However, there is currently no data indicating that any companies in Serbia have officially adopted such a model.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, discussions around the four-day workweek remain largely theoretical, as experts and stakeholders agree the country is not yet ready for such a shift. Maria Mincheva, Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, warned that maintaining an eight-hour day and current wages over just four days is unfeasible due to an aging population, labor shortages, and insufficient levels of automation. Kiril Boshev of the Association of Industrial Capital echoed these concerns, stating that a reduced workweek could cut productivity by up to 20%, harming Bulgaria’s open economy and competitiveness. Trade union representatives also expressed reservations. Alexander Zagorov of the Confederation of Labour Podkrepa emphasized that any changes must be negotiated with employees and could complicate operational processes. Meanwhile, Todor Kapitanov of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria acknowledged that some local companies are experimenting with four-day schedules without cutting pay, but highlighted sector-specific limitations, such as in healthcare and retail, where staffing shortages and continuous operations pose major challenges. Across the board, stakeholders agreed that while flexible work arrangements are emerging—particularly in IT—the appetite for a four-day workweek remains low, and practical, market-driven hurdles make widespread adoption unlikely in the near term.