Spain to launch mandatory digital work‑time register for workers

The Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy is preparing a real decree to introduce a fully digital, automated work‑time registration system. The text is expected to be presented to the Council of Ministers in July, with the aim of having the rule in force before the August holiday break.

The new regime will require employers of all sizes, as well as self‑employed professionals, to record entry and exit times in real time on a centralized platform that labour inspectors can access remotely. It is intended to eliminate unpaid overtime and prevent manipulation of paper‑based or spreadsheet registers. The decree follows a Council of State report that highlighted the need to protect small and medium‑sized enterprises from excessive administrative burdens and to safeguard workers’ data privacy.

A phased rollout is being discussed to give SMEs time to adopt the necessary digital infrastructure. Once implemented, any extra hours worked will be automatically recorded and cannot be altered by the employer, allowing authorities to detect and act on excessive working time more efficiently.