Station 5 · Month 6

How long is the probation period in Germany, and what applies during it?

In short

The short notice period of probation applies for at most six months: during that time, both sides can terminate with two weeks’ notice (section 622 (3), German Civil Code). After that, the statutory basic notice period of four weeks to the 15th or the end of a month applies, unless the employment contract or a collective agreement says otherwise. After more than six months in the same business, the Dismissal Protection Act applies if more than ten employees regularly work there: a dismissal by the employer then needs a socially justified reason.

Sources: Section 622 BGB, Section 1 Dismissal Protection Act, Section 23 Dismissal Protection Act

2 weeks

notice period during probation, for both sides.

Applies during an agreed probation period, for at most six months (section 622 (3), German Civil Code).

Source: Section 622 BGB, retrieved on 26 October 2026.

The deadlines at a glance

Up to month 6: two weeks for both sides, if probation has been agreed (section 622 (3), German Civil Code).
After that: four weeks to the 15th or the end of a month (section 622 (1)). For dismissals by the employer, the period gets longer with the length of employment (section 622 (2)).
Dismissal protection: after more than six months in the same business, if more than ten employees are regularly employed there (section 1 (1) and section 23 (1), Dismissal Protection Act).

Probation works in both directions

You decide during this time too. A rental contract, by contrast, has longer deadlines: as a tenant you give notice no later than the third working day of a month, effective at the end of the month after next (section 573c, German Civil Code). Before you sign, check whether the rental contract excludes termination for a certain period.

Three views of this station

IT professional

“What if it does not fit?”

What helps: Raise it early, while something can still change. Probation is also your time to check.

Partner

“We rented the flat long term. What if it ends after three months?”

What helps: Read the termination rules in the rental contract before signing and plan a buffer for the notice period.

Company

“How do we know before month 6 whether it fits?”

What helps: Regular conversations at short intervals. What is missing shows up there sooner than in daily work.

How we work at this station

For you: When you sign, probation period, notice periods and salary components have all been talked through. We do not wait until something catches: fixed check-ins until the end of probation, and in between we are one message away.
For the company: Check-ins with your new employee in weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12, then as needed until the end of probation. The conversations stay confidential; for you, we remain the point of contact if settling in hits a snag.

Not in our hands: Whether someone stays. That is up to you and the company.

The path

Circles: the five stations. Diamonds: our check-ins in weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12. Numbers below: months after the start.

Before you acceptCan my family come with me, and can my partner work in Germany?
Before you signWhat is left of an IT salary in Germany once the rent is paid?
Moving weekWhen do I have to register my address in Germany?
The first weeksDo I need German for an IT job in Germany?
Month 6How long is the probation period in Germany, and what applies during it?You are here

How does moving to Germany as an IT professional work?

Calculate your own path

With your city and your salary: comparison calculator. Talk your path through with us: write to us. Who we are: home page.

Sources

Section 622 (1) to (4) German Civil Code (notice periods), retrieved on 26 October 2026.
Section 1 (1) Dismissal Protection Act (Kündigungsschutzgesetz), retrieved on 26 October 2026.
Section 23 (1) Dismissal Protection Act, retrieved on 26 October 2026.
Section 573c (1) German Civil Code (notice period for tenants), retrieved on 26 October 2026.