When Are Offices Actually Open Around the World? A Country-by-Country Guide
Assuming everyone works 9 to 5 is a good way to annoy your international colleagues. Business hours vary significantly by country, and understanding these differences is essential for global business.
North America
United States: Standard is 9 AM–5 PM, but tech companies often run 10 AM–6 PM. Finance in New York starts early (7:30 AM). Federal holidays include July 4, Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November), and Christmas.
Canada: Similar to US. Thanksgiving is 2nd Monday in October (not November). Quebec has additional holidays.
Europe
UK: 9 AM–5:30 PM. Friday afternoons are quiet. Bank holidays vary by nation (England, Scotland, Wales, NI).
Germany: 8 AM–5 PM. Punctuality is taken seriously. Friday afternoons are quiet. August is vacation month.
France: 9 AM–6 PM. Lunch is 1–2 PM (sometimes longer). August is vacation month. Many French workers leave at exactly 6 PM.
Spain: 9 AM–2 PM, then 4 PM–7 PM (split schedule). The long lunch break is traditional, though modern companies are moving to continuous hours. Spaniards eat dinner at 9–10 PM partly because of the late schedule.
Netherlands: 8:30 AM–5 PM. Part-time work is very common — many Dutch workers work 4 days a week.
Asia
Japan: 9 AM–6 PM officially, but many stay much later. "Service overtime" (unpaid extra hours) is common. Lunch is 12–1 PM. Golden Week (late April/May) and Obon (mid-August) are major holiday periods.
China: 9 AM–6 PM. Lunch is 12–1:30 PM. Chinese New Year shuts down the country for 1–2 weeks. Golden Week (Oct 1–7) is another major holiday.
India: 9:30 AM–6 PM. IT sector often runs later. Lunch is 1–2 PM. Diwali, Holi, and Eid are major holidays. Cricket matches can affect availability.
Singapore: 9 AM–6 PM. Lunch is 12–1 PM. Public holidays reflect the country's multicultural makeup (Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas).
Middle East
UAE: 9 AM–6 PM. Workweek is now Monday–Friday (changed from Sunday–Thursday in 2022). Ramadan reduces working hours by 2 hours/day.
Saudi Arabia: Similar to UAE. Workweek is Sunday–Thursday in government; private sector varies.
Oceania
Australia: 9 AM–5 PM. Lunch is 12–1 PM. December–January is summer holiday period. Public holidays vary by state.
New Zealand: 8:30 AM–5 PM. Similar to Australia but with different holidays.
South America
Brazil: 9 AM–6 PM. Lunch is 12–2 PM (long break). Carnival (Feb/Mar) shuts down the country. Punctuality is more relaxed than in Northern Europe or Japan.
Argentina: 9 AM–6 PM. Similar to Brazil but without Carnival. Lunch is important.
Key Takeaways
- Lunch matters: In many countries, lunch is a real break (1–2 hours). Don't schedule calls during lunch unless you know the person is available.
- Friday afternoons: In many Western countries, Friday afternoons are quiet. Important meetings should be Monday–Thursday.
- Holiday calendars vary: Don't assume the other person's holidays match yours. Check before scheduling.
- Summer holidays: August is vacation month in Europe. December–January is holiday season in the Southern Hemisphere.