Employment Contract in Germany — What You Need to Know

What MUST be included in a contract?

Every employment contract in Germany must contain:

✅ Employer and employee data
✅ Start date
✅ Place of work
✅ Job description
✅ Salary (gross)
✅ Working hours (usually 40h/week)
✅ Vacation (minimum 24 days for 6-day week = 20 days for 5-day week)
✅ Notice period
✅ Probation period (if applicable)

Probezeit (Probation period)

• Maximum 6 months
• During this time, termination requires only 2 weeks' notice
• After Probezeit — Kündigungsschutz (dismissal protection) applies

Kündigungsschutz (Dismissal protection)

After 6 months of employment in a company with 10+ employees:
- Employer CANNOT dismiss you without valid reason
- Must provide reason in writing
- You can appeal to Arbeitsgericht (labor court)

Urlop (Vacation/Holiday)

• Minimum 20 days (for 5-day week)
• Most companies offer 25-30 days
• Unused vacation carries over to next year (until March 31)
• If you leave — unused vacation = paid out

Kündigung (Termination)

Important: Termination MUST be in writing!

Arbeitszeugnis (Employment reference/Certificate)

You have the RIGHT to a work certificate. Your employer MUST provide it.

Watch for hidden language:
- "zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit" = good employee
- "stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit" = excellent employee
- "zu unserer Zufriedenheit" = average (poor rating!)