A reason for working in Germany, answered with sourced data.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
| Topic ⇅ | Rule in short ⇅ | Source ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Working time | Up to 8 hours a day, extendable to 10 if the average over 6 months is 8; breaks of 30 min after 6 hours and 45 min after 9; 11 hours rest between shifts (ArbZG §§3–5). | law text |
| Paid holiday | At least 24 working days on a 6-day week, i.e. 20 days on a 5-day week; full entitlement after 6 months of employment (BUrlG §§3–4). Many contracts and collective agreements give 25–30 days. | law text |
| Sick pay | Full pay for up to 6 weeks per illness from the 5th week of employment (EFZG §3); then statutory sickness benefit from the health fund. | law text |
| Notice period | Statutory basic notice 4 weeks to the 15th or end of a month; longer for the employer after 2 years of service (up to 7 months after 20 years); probation up to 6 months with 2 weeks' notice (BGB §622). Contracts and collective agreements may differ. | law text |
| Dismissal protection | The Protection Against Dismissal Act applies after 6 months of employment in establishments with more than 10 employees (KSchG §§1, 23): dismissal needs a valid reason. | law text |
| Minimum wage | €13.90 per hour from 1 January 2026 (MiLoG); some sectors have higher collective minimums. | law text |
| Maternity and parental leave | Maternity protection 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth (12 weeks in special cases) (MuSchG); parental leave up to 3 years per child and parental allowance (Elterngeld) of 65–67% of net income, within a minimum €300 and maximum €1,800 a month (BEEG). | law text |
| Works council | Employees in establishments with at least 5 permanent employees may elect a works council with co-determination rights (BetrVG §1). | law text |
Summaries of statutes in force; individual contracts, collective agreements and later amendments can change your position. Ask a labour-law adviser, a union or a works council.
Pay and conditions in many sectors are set by collective agreements (Tarifverträge) negotiated between unions and employers; a company covered by one must pay at least the agreed scale to members and usually applies it to all. Works councils represent staff inside the company. Joining a union is voluntary.
| Union ⇅ | Covers ⇅ | Website ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) | Umbrella of eight member unions | official site |
| IG Metall | Metal, electrical, car industry, IT services | official site |
| ver.di | Services, public sector, retail, health, transport | official site |
| IG BCE | Mining, chemicals, energy | official site |
| IG BAU | Construction, agriculture, cleaning | official site |
| GEW | Education and science | official site |
| EVG | Railways and transport | official site |
| NGG | Food, beverages, hospitality | official site |
| GdP | Police | official site |
We list unions as a directory, without membership numbers: we have not collected a dated official figure for each.
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