Spain moves to 35‑hour weeks for civil servants and Valencian teachers

The Spanish state administration is introducing a 35‑hour weekly schedule for a portion of its public‑service workforce, cutting roughly two and a half hours from the standard workweek. The change is intended to improve work‑life balance and spark debate over its impact on service delivery and productivity.

In the Valencian Community, the Education Ministry has drafted a decree to reduce teachers’ weekly hours from 37.5 to 35, also lowering the required presence in schools from 30 to 28 hours. The proposal adds explicit digital‑disconnection rights and special provisions for older staff, people with disabilities and those with serious illnesses. Both initiatives are part of broader discussions on labor reform in Spain and are awaiting negotiation with unions before final approval.