Most German freelancers do not want to give up their self-determination and flexibility, but they pay a high price, according to a survey by IT services firm Solcom.

Most German IT freelancers work more than 40 hours a week and often work more than five days a week. Half also had less than 20 days of vacation a year. According to the survey, over half of the surveyed IT professionals work between 40 and 50 hours per week, one fifth even up to 60 hours and another 8 percent regularly smash past the 60 hours mark. Only 19 percent of respondents work a typical 40-hour week.

When asked about their typical working week, less than 1 percent of respondents indicated that they can afford a working week of less than four days. The overwhelming majority must work at least five days a week. Nearly 21 percent indicated that they even work six days a week. Around 4 percent typically work seven days a week.

The constant commitment of freelancers is also reflected in the amount of holiday they take: half of German freelance IT professionals declared that they have 20 days per year; 28 percent of respondents manage to secure an average of 20 to 30 vacation days, and only 22 percent can afford more than 30 days off a year.

Furthermore, most German freelancers have the feeling to work significantly more than their permanent colleagues (70 percent). Only a quarter of respondents believe that their permanent counterparts have roughly equal working hours.