🎥 Can my boss film me at work?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes, but only under strict conditions — and your employer must inform you in advance. Filming you permanently to monitor you is in principle forbidden. Camera surveillance at work is governed by collective agreement no. 68, the GDPR and (if customers or passers-by are also filmed) the 2007 Camera Act. Cameras are only allowed for four purposes: safety and health, protection of the company's goods, control of the production process, and control of the worker's work (the last only for, e.g., work-time measurement, with amendment of the work rules). Crucially: permanent surveillance is only allowed for the first three purposes and, for the production process, aimed at machines — permanently filming a worker to monitor them is forbidden. Everything must also be proportionate, the workers and the works council must be informed in advance, and hidden cameras are as a rule not allowed. The employer also declares the cameras.

📋 The rules

Camera surveillance is governed by agreement no. 68, the GDPR and the 2007 Camera Act
Only for four purposes: safety/health, protection of goods, control of the production process, control of work
Filming permanently only for the first three purposes; aimed at a worker, only temporarily
The employer must inform the workers and the works council (or committee/union) in advance
Proportionate, no permanent hidden cameras; declaration of the cameras
Decisions about a worker may not rest solely on camera footage

🔓 Exceptions

A short, targeted hidden camera, on a concrete suspicion of theft, can exceptionally be allowed (López Ribalda case-law)
Where customers are also filmed, the Camera Act's declaration and retention rules apply too (max ± 1 month)

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Breaches of agreement no. 68 are an offence under the Social Criminal Code (level 2): a criminal or administrative fine, to be multiplied by the surcharges and possibly by the number of workers involved. The Data Protection Authority can impose GDPR fines up to €20 million or 4% of turnover. In a decision of 31 October 2025, the DPA reprimanded an employer who filmed staff 24/7 to monitor their 'attitude', for three GDPR breaches.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can my boss put up cameras in the workplace?

Yes, but only for four legal purposes (safety, protection of goods, control of the production process or of work), proportionately, and after informing you and the works council in advance.

Can he film me permanently to monitor me?

In principle no. Permanent surveillance is only allowed for safety, protection of goods or the production process (aimed at machines). Permanently filming a worker to monitor their performance is forbidden.

Are hidden cameras allowed?

As a rule no. Only a short, targeted hidden camera, on a concrete suspicion of theft for example, can exceptionally be allowed.

What can I do if the rules aren't followed?

You can turn to the works council, the union or the Data Protection Authority. The employer risks a social-law sanction and a GDPR fine.

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