How to quit your job in Germany the right way: steps to leave on

In today's world, it is quite normal to change jobs to achieve professional and personal growth. There are also good reasons to resign: the desire to learn something new, moving to another city, etc. Find out how to resign in Germany in a professional and respectful manner to avoid burning bridges with your employer and the federal government

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Germany remains one of the most attractive countries in Europe for foreign professionals thanks to its stable economy and well-developed labor market. Changing jobs as a foreign worker in Germany is governed by a number of legal provisions, many of which were updated following the reform of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz.

We’ll cover the termination process, current notice periods, requirements for EU Blue Card holders, and the amount of unemployment benefits in 2026 in this article.

Are you planning to change employers or move to Germany in 2026?

The Visit World portal offers practical guides on finding employment, applying for an EU Blue Card, and legalizing your status in Germany.

Legal Grounds for Termination of Employment in Germany

The procedure for terminating an employment relationship in Germany is governed by the German Civil Code (BGB). Key provisions are found in § 622 (notice periods), § 623 (form of notice), and § 626 (termination for good cause).

A notice of termination is valid only in writing and must be signed by the employee in their own handwriting, in accordance with § 623 BGB. Emails, messages via instant messaging apps, or verbal notices have no legal effect. The document must be delivered in person to the human resources department or sent by certified mail.

A fixed-term employment contract terminates automatically upon the expiration of the agreed-upon period, and early termination is possible only if there is good cause or a specific provision in the contract. An employee has the right to terminate an indefinite-term contract at will, provided the required notice period is observed.

About basic benefits in Germany in 2026 — read here.

Notice periods for employee termination in 2026

The standard statutory notice period for an employee is four weeks, effective by the 15th of the month or by the end of the calendar month (§ 622(1) BGB). This rule applies regardless of the length of service with the company after the probationary period has ended.

Extended notice periods based on length of service (ranging from one month after two years of service to seven months after 20 years) are established by law only for termination initiated by the employer. For the employee, these notice periods apply only if there is a corresponding provision in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement—the so-called Gleichstellungsabrede.

Current statutory notice periods as of 2026:

• Probationary period (up to 6 months): 2 weeks without reference to a fixed date;
• After the probationary period: 4 weeks, effective by the 15th or by the end of the calendar month;
• Extended notice periods: apply only if explicitly stipulated in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

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Rules for Foreign Nationals Changing Employers: What Has Changed?

The conditions for foreign workers changing jobs have been radically updated following the entry into force of the Skilled Workers Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) on November 18, 2023. The current regulations depend on the type of residence permit.

For holders of an EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG), a separate permit to change employers is no longer required. During the first 12 months after the card is issued, the employee must notify the Ausländerbehörde of any change—no later than two weeks after the termination of the previous employment. The Ausländerbehörde has the right to suspend the change for 30 days for verification and to reject it if the conditions for the Blue Card are not met at the new employer.

For holders of a residence permit under § 18a and § 18b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) (qualified professionals with vocational or academic training), a change of employer requires prior approval from the Ausländerbehörde. It is prohibited to start work at the new employer before receiving official approval. After 12 months of residence in Germany, the reporting requirements for Blue Card holders are completely lifted.

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Step-by-Step Procedure for Resigning from a Job in Germany

Following the formalities helps avoid legal complications and preserve your professional reputation in the German labor market. The general procedure includes reviewing the employment contract, preparing the necessary documents, and properly completing your work duties.

Key steps in the resignation process:

1. Review the employment contract—determine the individual notice period.
2. Calculate the date for submitting the notice, taking into account the “by the 15th” or “by the end of the month” rule.
3. Have a preliminary conversation with your manager or the HR department—verbally communicate your intentions.
4. Preparing a written notice of termination (Kündigungsschreiben) specifying the termination date.
5. Delivering the notice in person or sending it by certified mail.
6. Request a job reference (Arbeitszeugnis) and a vacation certificate (Urlaubsbescheinigung).
7. Use any unused vacation days or receive monetary compensation.
8. Hand over work materials and return company property on your last day of work.

The legally relevant date is when the employer receives the signed notice, not the date it was sent. This detail should be taken into account when choosing how to submit the document.

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Extraordinary Termination Without Notice

Termination of the employment contract without observing the notice period is governed by § 626 BGB and is permitted only if there is good cause (wichtiger Grund). Legally, such termination of the employment relationship is referred to as außerordentliche Kündigung and may be initiated by either the employer or the employee.

Valid reasons on the part of the employee include systematic delays in wage payments, serious violations of safety regulations, proven workplace bullying, sexual harassment, or other forms of workplace harassment. Each case is assessed individually, taking into account the evidence.

A notice of extraordinary termination must be submitted within two weeks of the employee becoming aware of the grounds for such a decision. Failure to meet this deadline forfeits the right to immediate termination of the employment relationship.

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Unemployment Benefits in Germany in 2026

Individuals are eligible for unemployment benefits under the Arbeitslosengeld I program if they have worked under an employment contract with social security contributions for at least 12 months over the past 30 months. This insurance period is called the Anwartschaftszeit.

The benefit amount in 2026 is 60% of the flat-rate net salary for the last 12 months, or 67% for employees with a child. The maximum benefit in the western states is approximately 2,940 euros per month. The duration of benefit receipt depends on age and insurance period: from 6 months for younger insured persons to 24 months starting at age 58.

Voluntary resignation without a valid reason results in a Sperrzeit—a 12-week suspension of benefits. In this case, the total benefit period is additionally reduced by one-quarter. An application must be submitted to the Agentur für Arbeit immediately after resignation—the Sperrzeit does not begin until official registration is completed.

Important! For foreign professionals planning to change jobs or move to Germany, the Visit World portal has developed a practical guide covering the rules for obtaining an EU Blue Card, the procedure for recognizing diplomas (Anerkennung), requirements for employment contracts, social protection mechanisms, and current legislative changes as of 2026.

Order the guide on the Visit World portal and get a verified step-by-step guide to finding employment in Germany!

Reminder! In our previous article, we explained how to obtain a permanent residence permit and resident status in Germany in 2026.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Germany;

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