How to understand a German employment contract
Probation, working hours, holiday entitlement, overtime clauses and notice periods, clause by clause.
Intermediate8 min readLast updated: 2026-07-14Available in EN · DE
This guide is being written and reviewed. The outline below shows what it will cover.
On this page
- Fixed-term vs permanent contracts
- Probation periods and shorter notice
- Working time, overtime and how it must be recorded
- Holiday entitlement and how it is calculated
- Notice periods on both sides
- Clauses worth questioning before you sign
Rules, fees and processing times differ between federal states and municipalities and can change. Always confirm details with the responsible office before you act.
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