Travel time between a meeting point and workplaces was working time

For a group of biodiversity employees in a Spanish environmental company, each day started at 8:00 a.m. at a meeting point. From there, they were transported to different nature sites, where they worked until 3:00 p.m. They were then transported back to the meeting point and could go home. 

Their working time was calculated from 08:00 to 15.00 each day. Accordingly, travel time to nature sites was working time. The travel time to return from those sites was not. That difference raised disagreements.

The European Court of Justice found that travel time to and from the nature sites was working time. Although the workday was over, and the meeting point was not their fixed place of work, their return to the meeting point was necessary. During that time, the employees had no control over their own time. It emphasised the fact that the company planned the transport, determined where to meet, and the schedule as important elements.  

IUNO’s opinion

The case confirms that travel time from a fixed meeting point to and from the first and last place of work is working time for employees who do not have a permanent workplace. Although it was not an issue in the case, it also indirectly suggests that the travel time from home to the fixed meeting point is not working time.

We have previously written about a case here in which travel time from home to the workplace was working time for employees who did not have a fixed workplace. Instead, they drove directly to their different places of work.

IUNO recommends that your company review the internal working time policies and recording systems. It is important to clarify when travel time is working time, and when it is not. When travel time is working time, it is important to be aware of compliance with restrictions such as the 48-hour rule and statutory rest periods.

[European Court of Justice in case C-110/24 of 9 October 2025]