Germany Employment Basics
From public holidays and vacation to employer cost, sick leave, and notice periods — the practical basics of employment in Germany.
Germany at a Glance
Public Holidays
10-13
Statutory Vacation
20 Days Minimum
Working Hours
35-40 per Week
Employer Social Cost
+21-25%
Sick Leave Pay
6 Weeks
Probation Period
6 Weeks
Minimum Wage
13.90€ per Hour
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Contract Language
German / Bilingual
Navigating German Labor Law
German labor law requires comprehensive documentation. Our contracts ensure full compliance with statutory regulations for all employment relationships.
Probation Period
Probationary periods are optional but widely used by German employers, offering both parties an opportunity to evaluate the employment relationship. The maximum legally permissible duration is 6 months.
Working Hours
The standard work week in Germany runs from Monday to Friday, with typical office hours from 8:00/9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. German law sets clear limits on daily and weekly working hours.
Overtime Compensation
Unlike some jurisdictions, overtime compensation is not automatically mandated by German law. Instead, regulations are typically defined in employment contracts.
Employer Social Security Contributions
Finances the statutory pension system for employees.
Covers comprehensive statutory health insurance benefits.
Support for employees in cases of chronic illness.
Financial protection in the event of job loss.
Paid Time Off
Paid Annual Leave
Employees working a standard five-day week are entitled to a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year, excluding public holidays. This represents the legal minimum — many German employers offer 25-30 days as part of competitive benefits packages.
Sick Leave Protection
Employers must continue full salary payments during an initial sick phase (typically up to six weeks), after which remuneration transitions to statutory health insurance benefits. Medical certificates are usually required after three days of absence.
Maternity & Parental Leave
Germany offers exceptional protective provisions, including mandatory maternity protection periods, paid paternity benefits, and extended parental leave of up to three years with a legal right to return to an equivalent position.
Public Holidays
Between 9 and 13 paid public holidays depending on the federal state. Employers must record applicable holidays based on the employee's place of work and ensure proper remuneration or compensatory time off.
Termination & Protection
The German Standard
Unlike "at-will" jurisdictions, German labor law provides high levels of protection for employees after their probation period. Understanding these rules is key to a compliant partnership.
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