Labour law: the essentials

What this is about

In Germany, the law protects all employees – regardless of nationality or origin. Many rights apply even if your contract says otherwise.

• •A contract can't be worse than the law allows.
• •Collective agreements (Tarifverträge) can include better terms.
• •Get all agreements in writing.

Minimum wage

There's a statutory minimum wage per hour. Some sectors have higher collectively agreed wages.

• •The minimum wage also applies during your probation period.
• •Your working hours should be documented.
• •You can estimate what's left of your gross pay in our calculator.

Working hours

The daily working time is generally at most eight hours. It can be extended to up to ten hours if it averages out over time.

• •Breaks are required by law.
• •Overtime must be agreed and provable.
• •Stricter rules apply for young people.

Holiday

The statutory minimum holiday is 24 working days a year with a six-day week. With a five-day week that's 20 days.

• •Many contracts offer more holiday.
• •Holiday has to be requested and approved.
• •If you get sick during your holiday, days with a doctor's note don't count as holiday.

Probation and fixed-term contracts

A probation period can be at most six months. During this time the notice period is usually shorter. Fixed-term contracts must be made in writing.

• •After probation, longer notice periods apply.
• •A fixed term agreed only verbally is not valid.
• •Whether protection against dismissal applies depends, among other things, on company size and how long you've worked there.

Concrete steps

1. 1Read your employment contract carefully and keep it.
2. 2Note down your own working hours.
3. 3Check your payslip every month.
4. 4Seek advice early if there are problems.