{"id":30653,"date":"2026-03-11T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/?p=24679"},"modified":"2026-05-29T12:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T10:03:00","slug":"hours-of-operation-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/","title":{"rendered":"Will time tracking still be mandatory in Spain in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. In 2026, time tracking will not only remain mandatory in Spain, but it will also enter a more stringent phase. The requirement was established by Royal Decree-Law 8\/2019, but inspection practices and new technical criteria have tightened its enforcement to adapt it to remote work, mobility, and digital systems.<br>The key is no longer simply keeping records, but being able to demonstrate that the records are accurate, reliable, and verifiable. Many companies formally complied with the regulation but were unable to prove it to the Labor Inspectorate. It is precisely this gap that the new regulations aim to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Contents\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFComo_se_llama_la_nueva_ley_de_control_de_horario_y_que_establece\" >What is the name of the new law on working hours, and what does it stipulate?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFCuando_entra_en_vigor\" >When does it take effect?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFA_quien_afecta_la_nueva_ley_de_control_horario\" >Who is affected by the new time-tracking law?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#Obligaciones_principales_de_las_empresas\" >Key Obligations of Companies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#Derechos_y_deberes_de_los_trabajadores\" >Workers' Rights and Responsibilities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#Sistemas_de_control_de_horario_digital_permitidos\" >Permitted digital time-recording systems<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#Sistemas_de_control_de_horario_digital_no_permitidos\" >Digital time-recording systems are not permitted<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFComo_se_puede_utilizar_la_IA_en_la_nueva_ley_de_control_de_horario_de_los_trabajadores\" >How can AI be used in the new law regulating employee working hours?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFComo_evitar_sanciones_con_el_Real_Decreto_actual_y_con_los_cambios_en_la_normativa_de_control_horario_que_vienen\" >How can you avoid penalties under the current Royal Decree and in light of the upcoming changes to time-tracking regulations?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/ley-de-contol-horario\/#%C2%BFQuien_no_esta_obligado_a_realizar_un_control_horario\" >Who is not required to keep track of working hours?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFComo_se_llama_la_nueva_ley_de_control_de_horario_y_que_establece\"><\/span>What is the name of the new law on working hours, and what does it stipulate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no \u201c2026 Work Hours Control Act\u201d as such. Work hours continue to be regulated by the<strong> Article 34.9 of the Workers' Statute, <\/strong>developed by the <strong>Royal Decree-Law 8\/2019.<\/strong><br>What has changed is the implementing regulations: the registry is now required to be <strong>digital, traceable, and accessible.<\/strong><br>The regulations establish three basic principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Record the start and end of the workday every day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain the data for 4 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow immediate access to workers, representatives, and inspectors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To better understand the change, the real difference is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;\">\n  <table style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\">\n    <thead>\n      <tr style=\"background-color:#1f2937; color:#ffffff;\">\n        <th style=\"padding:12px; border:1px solid #ddd; text-align:left;\">Key aspect<\/th>\n        <th style=\"padding:12px; border:1px solid #ddd; text-align:left;\">Current Law (2019\u20132025)<\/th>\n        <th style=\"padding:12px; border:1px solid #ddd; text-align:left;\">New Application 2026<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Record Type<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Any valid system<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Preference for verifiable digital systems<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr style=\"background-color:#f9fafb;\">\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Telework<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Vague<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Remote registration is also required<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Manipulation<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Difficult to prove<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Data traceability must be ensured<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr style=\"background-color:#f9fafb;\">\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Inspection Access<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Based on technical requirements<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Quick and exportable access<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Overtime Tracking<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Formal<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Effective and demonstrable control<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr style=\"background-color:#f9fafb;\">\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"><strong>Objective<\/strong><\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Log Work Hours<\/td>\n        <td style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ddd;\">Verify Actual Work Hours<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFCuando_entra_en_vigor\"><\/span>When does it take effect?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This requirement has been in effect since May 2019.<\/strong><br>What will happen in 2026 is strict enforcement: the Inspectorate will no longer accept records that are merely for reference purposes. <strong>The system must prove that the employee actually clocked in at that time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFA_quien_afecta_la_nueva_ley_de_control_horario\"><\/span>Who is affected by the new time-tracking law?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The general rule is simple:<strong> If an employment relationship exists, there is an obligation to register.<\/strong><br>To all employees, whether they work in person, remotely, or on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Obligaciones_principales_de_las_empresas\"><\/span>Key Obligations of Companies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies must ensure that <strong>the recorded work hours are accurate and verifiable.<\/strong> The main ones <strong>obligations <\/strong>are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Implement a reliable and secure digital record-keeping system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Record each employee's start and end times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain the records for 4 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow access to workers and the Labor Inspectorate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Record breaks that affect the calculation of working hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Track and record all overtime hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevent any untraceable modifications to the records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply time tracking to remote work and commuting as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Derechos_y_deberes_de_los_trabajadores\"><\/span>Workers' Rights and Responsibilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Workers have <strong>rights and obligations<\/strong> that supplement the time log:<br><strong>Rights:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Access your time log at any time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find out how much overtime has been worked and how it is compensated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy being offline outside of work hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not to face retaliation for properly recording attendance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Homework:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clock in and out in person at the beginning and end of the workday.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not use other employees' credentials to clock in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please report any errors in your registration immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comply with the stated and agreed-upon rest periods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sistemas_de_control_de_horario_digital_permitidos\"><\/span>Permitted digital time-recording systems<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permitted systems must <strong>ensure the unambiguous identification of the worker and the traceability of the record.<\/strong> Notable among them are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Corporate mobile or web apps for time tracking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical terminals with personal authentication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Biometric systems provided in compliance with data protection regulations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Company devices that record the start and end of the workday in a verifiable manner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sistemas_de_control_de_horario_digital_no_permitidos\"><\/span>Digital time-recording systems are not permitted<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They do not document the actual hours worked, and therefore, <strong>are invalid:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shift or scheduling charts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Editable Excel spreadsheets without any controls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signatures on paper that were added later.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group signings without individual identification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFComo_se_puede_utilizar_la_IA_en_la_nueva_ley_de_control_de_horario_de_los_trabajadores\"><\/span>How can AI be used in the new law regulating employee working hours?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI can analyze work schedules, detect excessive overtime, flag potential violations, and generate reports for the company and labor inspectors. It does not replace the obligation to clock in, but <strong>It helps prevent non-compliance and optimize schedule management.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFComo_evitar_sanciones_con_el_Real_Decreto_actual_y_con_los_cambios_en_la_normativa_de_control_horario_que_vienen\"><\/span>How can you avoid penalties under the current Royal Decree and in light of the upcoming changes to time-tracking regulations?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Penalties Are Avoided <strong>by implementing reliable systems, <\/strong>recording the entire actual workday, storing the data, and allowing access to both the employee and the inspector. The <strong>staff training<\/strong> Using the system correctly is also key to avoiding violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFQuien_no_esta_obligado_a_realizar_un_control_horario\"><\/span>Who is not required to keep track of working hours?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some <strong>exceptions <\/strong>include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Senior management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-employed individuals or independent professionals who are not in an employment relationship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain positions with full organizational autonomy as provided for in the collective bargaining agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All other employees must comply with the requirement to clock in.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>S\u00ed. En 2026 el registro horario no solo sigue siendo obligatorio en Espa\u00f1a, sino que pasa a una fase m\u00e1s exigente. La obligaci\u00f3n naci\u00f3 con el Real Decreto-ley 8\/2019, pero la pr\u00e1ctica inspectora y los nuevos criterios t\u00e9cnicos han endurecido su aplicaci\u00f3n para adaptarlo al teletrabajo, la movilidad y los sistemas digitales.La clave ya no [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":30662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-noticias-actualidad"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30653"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33217,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30653\/revisions\/33217"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}