- Receive the dismissal
- Note the date
- Get advice
- Deadline: 3 weeks
- Register with the employment agency
The basic legal notice period is four weeks to the 15th or to the end of a month. If the employer gives notice, the period gets longer the longer you have worked there. Your employment contract or collective agreement can set other periods.
A dismissal without notice is only possible for a serious reason. It must be given within two weeks after the reason became known. The deadline for a claim applies here too.
The Dismissal Protection Act usually applies if you have worked at the company for more than six months and more than ten people work there. Then a dismissal needs a reason. Special protection applies, for example, to pregnant women, people on parental leave and people with severe disabilities.
What this is about
A dismissal is only valid if it's in writing and signed. A dismissal by message, email or spoken word is not enough.
- Accept the letter and note the date.
- Don't sign a termination agreement (Aufhebungsvereinbarung) under pressure – it can affect your unemployment benefit.
- If in doubt, have the dismissal checked.
Important deadlines
Every day counts after a dismissal.
- You can usually only challenge a dismissal in labour court within three weeks.
- You must register as job-seeking at the latest three months before your employment ends.
- If you only find out later, register within three days.
Registering with the Agentur für Arbeit
There are two steps: registering as job-seeking (arbeitsuchend), and later registering as unemployed (arbeitslos) on your first day without work.
- You can register as job-seeking online, by phone or in person.
- You must register as unemployed on the first day of unemployment.
- You need to apply for unemployment benefit separately.
Have these documents ready.
- ID card or passport, residence permit if applicable
- Dismissal letter or employment contract
- Social security number and bank details
- Employer's certificate of employment (Arbeitsbescheinigung)
Whether and how unemployment affects your residence status depends on your specific residence permit or your freedom-of-movement right (Freizügigkeitsrecht).
- This is decided by the relevant authority, not your employer.
- Ask the Ausländerbehörde or an advice centre about it early.
- Find out before you sign a termination agreement.
Concrete steps
- Check the dismissal is in writing and note the date.
- Register as job-seeking immediately.
- Register as unemployed on your first day without work.
- Apply for unemployment benefit.
- Get advice quickly if you doubt the dismissal is valid.
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.
MeaNext explains general rules about work in Germany. This information does not replace individual legal advice. In a specific case, your employment contract, collective agreement, works agreement and personal circumstances can be decisive.