September 21, 2025
Mandatory Digital Time Tracking in Spain
Discover everything you need to know about the mandatory digital time-tracking law and how it affects companies and workers.
Since May 2019, with the approval of Royal Decree-Law 8/2019, all companies in Spain have been required to implement a working-time recording system. This measure, known as mandatory digital time tracking, aims to ensure labour transparency and prevent abuses related to unpaid overtime.
The law applies to all types of companies, regardless of size or sector. Large corporations, SMEs, self-employed individuals with employees and even associations must comply with this regulation.
Important
Clock-ins must be recorded every day, including the exact start and end time of each worker’s day, as well as breaks when they are counted as working time.
Why was mandatory digital time tracking introduced?
The main objective of the regulation is to prevent labour exploitation and to monitor overtime that was often neither paid nor reported for social security purposes. It also enables the Labour Inspectorate to verify compliance with legal limits on working hours and rest.
“The daily working-time record is a guarantee for both the worker and the company, which can demonstrate that it complies with the regulation.”
What must the company record?
The company must ensure a reliable, accessible and tamper-proof system. At a minimum, it must include:
- The exact start and end time of each worker’s day.
- The total duration of the daily working day.
- The calculation of regular and overtime hours.
- Storage of records for a minimum of 4 years.
Which methods are accepted for time tracking?
The regulation does not impose a single system, giving companies the flexibility to choose the one that best suits their activity. The important thing is that it must be reliable and non-alterable.
Most common registration methods
Among the most commonly used systems in Spain to comply with mandatory digital time tracking are:
- Mobile apps or specialised time-tracking software.
- Biometric devices (fingerprint, facial recognition).
- Clock-in terminals using card or PIN.
- Manually signed paper logs (less recommended due to their ease of manipulation).
Attention
The system must always be accessible to workers and available to the Labour Inspectorate whenever requested.
Consequences of failing to comply with the regulation
Companies that fail to implement a digital time-tracking system or manipulate records may face financial penalties ranging from €625 to €187,515, depending on the severity of the violation.
Common types of violations
Some of the most frequent non-compliances detected by the Labour Inspectorate include:
- Not having any time-tracking system in place.
- Not keeping records for the minimum required period.
- Incorrectly recording working hours.
- Failing to report or pay overtime hours.
Conclusion
Mandatory digital time tracking is not only a legal requirement but also an opportunity for companies to better manage their resources, increase productivity and foster more transparent labour relations.
