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Armenia’s tech sector reached $2.3 billion in turnover by 2025, and more international companies are hiring local talent each year. Before you hire your first employee in Yerevan, it is important to understand working hours in Armenia and how they affect payroll, contracts, and compliance.
Working time is regulated by the Armenian Labor Code, which sets rules on daily and weekly limits, overtime pay, and rest periods.
In this guide, we break all of it down so you can hire with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia, adopted in 2004, is the main law that regulates employment in the country. Chapter 17, Articles 137 to 149, explains the rules for working hours, overtime, rest time, and special worker categories. Here is what you need to know.
The standard workweek in Armenia is 40 hours, usually arranged as 8 hours per day over 5 days. With overtime, this can increase up to 48 hours per week.
For employees working in harmful or dangerous conditions, the limit is lower. In these cases, the maximum is 36 hours per week according to Article 140 of the Labor Code.
A normal workday is limited to 8 hours. With overtime, it can extend up to 12 hours per day. This 12-hour limit includes any breaks during the shift.
If an employee works for more than one employer, their total working time across all jobs still cannot go beyond 12 hours per day.
Armenian law is specific about when and how long your employees must rest:
Work between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM is considered night work. Employees working during these hours must receive at least 130 percent of their normal hourly pay.
Workers under 18 are not allowed to work night shifts. Pregnant employees and mothers of children under 3 years old can only work night shifts if they give written consent.
Armenian labor law sets the general rules for working hours, but daily schedules can vary depending on the industry.
If you are hiring in Armenia, this is likely the sector you are most interested in. Armenia’s IT industry has grown rapidly, reaching 10,778 active high tech companies and 41,431 employees by 2025.
Most tech companies use flexible working hours, with many teams working from around 10 AM to 7 PM. Remote and hybrid work are also very common across the industry.
Growth in the sector is being supported by the government’s high tech incentive program running from 2025 to 2031, which continues to attract international companies. Average salaries in the ICT sector reached AMD 820,000 per month in late 2025, or around $2,160. That is about 2.7 times higher than Armenia’s average salary.
Retail and hospitality businesses usually operate on rotating shifts across 5 or 6 working days per week. Saturday is often a regular working day in these industries.
Employees may work early morning, evening, or late night shifts, and working during holidays is common.
Healthcare services operate 24 hours a day, so shift work is standard. Employees can work 24 hour duty shifts, but no more than twice per week. Even with these schedules, the weekly limit of 48 hours still applies.
Workers in hazardous roles are limited to 36 hours per week. Overtime pay and night shift premiums also apply in the healthcare sector, just as they do in other industries.
Most government offices and corporate workplaces follow a Monday to Friday schedule from 9 AM to 6 PM. Saturday is usually a rest day.
One rule that many foreign employers overlook is that the workday before a public holiday must be shortened by one hour under Armenian law.
In Armenia, overtime means any work beyond 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Employers must follow strict rules on both overtime limits and extra pay.
There are also strict limits on overtime in Armenia. Employees cannot work more than 4 overtime hours in one day or more than 4 overtime hours across two consecutive days. The annual overtime limit is 120 hours. In most cases, overtime requires the employee’s written consent unless there is an emergency.
Senior managers and executives are exempt from overtime hour limits and do not receive additional overtime pay. However, minimum daily and weekly rest periods still apply, and this arrangement should be clearly stated in the employment contract.
Employers are also required to keep written overtime records. Overtime pay must be calculated separately and cannot be included in base salary. Companies should also classify workers correctly, since misclassification can lead to back payments and penalties.
Remote and hybrid work are very common in Armenia, especially in the tech sector. Since 2023, any remote or hybrid arrangement must be documented in writing. Employers that offer flexible working without a formal agreement may face compliance risks.
Looking ahead, proposed 2026 Labor Code changes would officially recognize remote work for the first time. According to the Armenian Club, the amendments may also introduce “parent hours.” Employees with one or two children would work 30 minutes less per day, while parents with three or more children would work one hour less. Employers and employees would also be able to agree on flexible working hours in writing.
Even with remote work arrangements, the standard legal limits still apply. Remote employees remain subject to the 40-hour standard workweek and the 48-hour maximum weekly limit.
Armenia observes 13 official non-working days per year. Here is the full list:
In Armenia, the workday before a public holiday must be shortened by one hour. The government also sometimes creates extended weekends when a holiday falls near another day off. For example, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, employees may receive an extra day off to create a 4-day weekend.
That extra day is usually compensated by making employees work on a Saturday instead. Employers should keep this in mind when planning schedules and workloads.
In most cases, employees must agree before working on a public holiday, although exceptions apply to essential services.
Holiday work must be paid at 200% of the employee’s average wage. Employers should also document holiday work through employment contracts or written orders.
Foreign employees in Armenia are protected by the same labor laws as Armenian citizens. The same rules for working hours, overtime pay, and rest periods apply to everyone.
In most cases, non-Armenian citizens need a work permit to work legally in the country. The process usually takes around 10 to 12 weeks, including permit approval and address registration. Employers that fail to comply with these requirements can face fines ranging from AMD 50,000 to 150,000 per violation.
For international companies, one important development is that Armenia officially recognized Employer of Record, or EOR, arrangements in 2025. This allows companies to hire employees in Armenia without opening a local legal entity.
There are also new digital compliance requirements. Since December 2024, all employment contracts must be digitally signed through the State Revenue Committee platform under Law No. HO 525 N. Companies should also monitor planned November 2026 reforms that may reduce current work permit exemptions.
For businesses looking for a simpler way to manage compliance, an EOR and payroll partner can help reduce administrative work and legal risk.
If you are already operating in the EU or the US, Armenia's framework will feel familiar. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
The bottom line is that Armenia’s standard 40-hour workweek is higher than the EU’s average of around 36 hours but still within the EU’s legal limit of 48 hours per week. The 150% overtime rate is also similar to US overtime requirements under the FLSA.
For international employers, the overall system will feel familiar. However, local rules around rest periods, holiday scheduling, and overtime record keeping still require close attention.
Many employers hiring in Armenia for the first time misunderstand some important labor rules. Here are a few common misconceptions:
SaviorHire is an Armenia-based Employer of Record, payroll, and HR services provider that supports international companies hiring in the country. We act as the legal employer on your behalf and manage key responsibilities such as compliant employment contracts, overtime tracking, public holiday rules, work permits, and digital contract signing requirements.
Since Armenia officially recognized Employer of Record arrangements in 2025, onboarding can be completed in as little as 1 to 2 working days once all documents are ready. This is especially useful for IT companies, startups building remote engineering teams, and international businesses that want to stay compliant without setting up a local entity.
Beyond Employer of Record services, we also provide HR support, IT staff augmentation, and assistance with opening a branch office in Armenia. If you are planning to hire in Armenia or want to understand the best setup for your team, you can book a consultation with our team to get guidance.
What are the normal working hours in Armenia?
What is the legal workweek in Armenia?
Is overtime paid in Armenia?
How many hours can employees legally work per week in Armenia?
Are lunch breaks required in Armenia?
Is Saturday a working day in Armenia?
Do tech companies in Armenia offer flexible schedules?
What are the working hours for remote employees in Armenia?
Hamlet Mirzoyan
Tech & iGaming Recruitment Expert, CEO of SaviorHire
Hamlet Mirzoyan
Tech & iGaming Recruitment Expert, CEO of SaviorHire
Hamlet Mirzoyan helps companies in the tech industry build strong and high-performing teams. With over a decade of experience in technical recruitment, he shares insights on hiring trends, talent strategies, and industry updates through the SaviorHire blog.
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