Statutory notice period

The statutory notice period is the period that both employer and employee must comply with by law before an employment relationship is terminated.

This period is set in the Civil Code (BGB) and is intended to give both sides sufficient time to prepare for the impending separation. For employees, the notice period is usually four weeks to the 15th or the end of a calendar month.
This standard regulation offers a certain degree of flexibility so that the employee is not bound to a fixed deadline.

For employers, on the other hand, the notice period is extended depending on the length of the employee's service. The longer an employee worked for the company, the longer the notice period must be. This staggered regulation protects long-term employees and gives them more time to find new employment. At the same time, it enables the employer to plan an orderly transition and find a suitable successor.

The legal notice periods ensure a fair and transparent separation by creating clear guidelines for both parties. However, it is important to note that different, usually longer periods of notice may also be agreed in employment or collective agreements. Employees should therefore always find out about the exact regulations in their individual employment contract.