Your work contract in Germany: hours, breaks, holiday and overtime

3 min read · 8 steps · Updated 3 October 2026

Before you sign a work contract in Germany, it helps to know what the law already gives you. A contract may offer more than these minimums, and many do, but a clause that offers less is not valid. This guide lists the points to check.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, speak to a lawyer or an advice centre.

Step by step

1. Get the terms in writing

   A fixed-term contract must be in writing before you start work. If it is not, the job counts as permanent. For a permanent job, the employer must give you the main terms in writing within one month at the latest: start date, duration, description of the work, pay, weekly hours and notice period.

   Done

2. Check the working hours

   The normal limit is 8 hours a day. Up to 10 hours are allowed for a time, if the extra hours are evened out within six months. Between two working days you must have a rest period, as a rule 11 hours, in some sectors 10.

   Done

3. Know your breaks

   If you work more than six hours, you are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes. If you work more than nine hours, it is 45 minutes. Breaks are normally not paid. For workers under 18, the breaks are longer and start earlier.

   Done

4. Count the holiday

   The legal minimum with a five-day week is 20 paid days a year. Many contracts and collective agreements give 25 to 30. For part-time work on fewer days a week, the number is reduced in proportion. People with a recognised severe disability get five extra days.

   Done

5. Take holiday in time

   Holiday is meant to be taken in the calendar year. Days that could not be taken can be carried over, and must then be used by 31 March of the following year. Apply for holiday in writing and wait for the approval.

   Done

6. Understand overtime

   Whether you must work overtime, and how it is paid or given back as time off, depends on your contract or a collective agreement. Without such a rule you only have to work overtime in real emergencies. Overtime that was ordered and recorded must normally be paid, at least at your hourly rate. Keep your own record of the hours.

   Done

7. Check the pay

   The pay must not be below the legal minimum wage: minimum wage and mini-jobs in Germany in 2026. What is left after deductions: your German payslip explained.

   Done

8. Get advice before you sign

   If you do not understand a clause, ask for time to read the contract at home. The Faire Integration advice centres advise people from outside the EU on work questions, free of charge and in several languages. Trade unions advise their members.

   Done

Good to know

A probation period (Probezeit) may last up to six months. During it, both sides can end the contract with a shorter notice period, usually two weeks.

These rights apply to mini-jobs and part-time jobs as well.

If you are ill: sick leave in Germany. If the job ends: losing or quitting a job in Germany.

Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official source named at the end before you act, and ask the office in your city, because procedures differ from town to town.

In short: Terms in writing within a month, 8 hours a day as a rule, 30 minutes break after six hours, at least 20 holiday days with a five-day week, carried-over days used by 31 March, overtime as the contract says.