CJEU rules travel time can count as working time for mobile employees

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the classification of travel time as working time in case C-110/24, STAS-IV v VAERSA. The ruling clarifies that for mobile workers who do not have a fixed place of work, travel between a designated base and the actual site of duty—as well as the return journey—should be counted as working time under the EU Working Time Directive.

This decision specifically addressed employees protecting Natura 2000 areas who traveled to a company base before being transported to their work locations. The ruling emphasizes that the determination depends on whether the employee is at the employer's disposal and lacks freedom to manage their own time during the transit. This sets a precedent for other mobile professionals, such as sales representatives and service technicians, whose duties require frequent travel.