Labor Law — Working Hours, Vacation, Illness & Dismissal Protection

Your Rights as an Employee in Germany

German labor law protects employees comprehensively. These rights apply to all employees — regardless of nationality or residence status. Part-time workers and minijob employees also have these rights.

Arbeitszeit — Maximum 8 Hours Per Day

The Arbeitszeit Act (ArbZG) regulates:

• Maximum 8 hours per working day (Mon–Sat), i.e., max. 48 hours/week
• Extension to 10 hours is possible if the average does not exceed 8 hours over 6 months
• At least 11 hours rest period between two working days
• After 6 hours: 30-minute break (after 9 hours: 45 minutes)
• Night and shift work are subject to special protection rules

Urlaub — Minimum 24 Working Days

• Statutory minimum vacation: 24 working days (for a 6-day week) or 20 working days (for a 5-day week)
• Many collective agreements grant 25–30 days
• Full vacation entitlement accrues after 6 months of employment
• Vacation cannot be paid out (exception: upon termination)
• Public holidays are additional (9–13 depending on the state)

Illness — Entgeltfortzahlung for 6 Weeks

When you become ill:

1. Inform your employer immediately (in the morning on the first day of illness)
2. From the 4th day of illness (often from day 1 — check your employment contract!) a medical certificate of incapacity for work (AU) from your doctor
3. Since 2023: The AU is transmitted electronically directly to the health insurance fund (eAU)

Your employer continues to pay your salary for 6 weeks (Entgeltfortzahlung). After that, the health insurance fund pays sick pay (approx. 70% of gross wages, max. 78 weeks).

Kündigungsschutz — After 6 Months and 10 Employees

The Kündigungsschutz Act (KSchG) applies to companies with more than 10 employees and after 6 months of employment:

• Termination only for personal, behavioral, or operational reasons
• Social selection in case of operational termination (age, length of service, dependents, disability)
• Notice period: minimum 4 weeks to the 15th or end of a calendar month, longer depending on length of service

During the Probezeit (maximum 6 months): notice period only 2 weeks, without stating reasons.

Minimum Wage 2026

The statutory minimum wage is €12.82 gross per hour. It applies to nearly all employees, including minijob workers. Exceptions: apprentices, mandatory interns, long-term unemployed (first 6 months).

If You Have Problems: Your Points of Contact

• Works council — your representative in the company
• Trade union — legal protection and advice (ver.di, IG Metall, etc.)
• Labor court — file a dismissal protection lawsuit within 3 weeks after termination!
• Faire Integration (faire-integration.de) — free labor law advice for migrants

As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.