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Before signing an employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag), be sure to read it in full. In Germany the employer is obliged to give you the main terms of work in writing (Nachweisgesetz), including the parties, start date, place of work, job description, pay, working hours, leave and notice periods.
What should be in the contract
- Names and addresses of the parties and the start date
- Contract term: open-ended (unbefristet) or fixed-term (befristet)
- Probationary period (Probezeit)
- Place of work and job description
- Gross pay (Brutto), time and method of payment and any bonus or overtime
- Weekly working hours
- Annual leave
- Notice periods and general rules (a collective agreement, Tarifvertrag, if one applies)
Probation and termination
The probationary period is usually up to 6 months, during which both sides can terminate the contract at short notice (usually 2 weeks). After that, the statutory notice period for the employee is usually 4 weeks to the 15th or the end of the month; for the employer it gets longer as length of service increases, and the contract or a collective agreement may set other terms. Termination must be in writing with an original signature; an email or message is not enough.
Leave, sickness and pay
- Leave: the statutory minimum is 20 working days per year for a 5-day week (24 Werktage); many contracts give more, often 24 to 30 days.
- Sickness: inform your employer immediately. A medical certificate is usually required from the fourth day, but the employer can ask for it earlier. The electronic certificate system (eAU) is now transmitted via the doctor.
- Continued payment of wages: in sickness you receive full pay for up to 6 weeks, after which the health insurer pays (Krankengeld).
- Minimum wage: in 2026 it is about €13.90 per hour (under the enacted law; an increase is planned for 2027).
Fixed-term contracts and working hours
A fixed-term contract is sometimes allowed with a specific reason (Sachgrund) and sometimes, without a reason, for up to 2 years. Daily working time is usually 8 hours, and the law sets a maximum of 10 hours (with compensation) and mandatory breaks.
If problems arise
No signature, unregistered pay or sudden dismissal are warning signs. You can get help from the works council (Betriebsrat), a trade union (Gewerkschaft) or labour counselling centres (such as “Faire Mobilität” for migrant workers). For serious disputes, the deadline to challenge a dismissal is short (3 weeks), so act quickly.
After starting work: health insurance, Steuer-ID and gross and net pay.
