The digital Stundenzettel: what German labour law actually expects
Kraftize Team · 29 Jul 2026 · 5 min read
Paper timesheets are still the default in many service businesses. Digital records are allowed — if they meet a few specific conditions.
German employers must record working time in a way that is objective, reliable and accessible. Nothing in that requirement demands paper — but it does demand that a record cannot be quietly rewritten after the fact.
That is why an audit trail matters more than the form itself: who recorded the hours, when, and what changed afterwards. A digital timesheet with signatures and a change history is usually stronger evidence than a signed sheet in a folder.
The second requirement is availability. Records need to be retrievable for the retention period, in a readable format, without depending on one person's laptop.
This article is general information, not legal advice — confirm the specifics with your own advisor before changing your process.