Probation Period (Probezeit) in Germany: All You Need to Know

I have worked through probation periods in Germany and seen colleagues navigate them too. This guide explains what the Probezeit is, how it works, holidays during probation, and the common misconceptions that trip up English-speaking expats.

Frequently Asked Questions about Probation

What is the probation period (Probezeit)?

When you start a new job in Germany, you enter a probation period. It is similar to a trial period, except you receive your full salary and compensation during the probation period. You can call it a paid trial period. Both you and your employer use this period to evaluate whether you are a good fit for each other.

The probation period is governed by §622 BGB (the German Civil Code). It must be explicitly agreed upon in your employment contract — it does not apply automatically.

How long is the standard probation period?

The standard probation period for employment is up to 6 months and varies from company to company. This applies to both permanent and fixed (temporary) work contracts. Most companies use the full 6 months, though some may offer shorter probation periods of 3 or 4 months, especially for senior roles.

For vocational training (instructional programs or courses), the probation period is a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months.

Key legal points:

• Maximum of 6 months (§622 BGB)
• Must be explicitly stated in the employment contract
• Cannot be extended beyond 6 months, even by mutual agreement
• For fixed-term contracts shorter than 12 months, the probation period must be proportional

What is the notice period during probation?

You or your employer must provide a 2-week notice for termination from your job during probation. There is no requirement for a cause or reason to terminate the contract. This is the most important practical difference from regular employment.

Once you have completed your probation period, it gets a lot more difficult for your employer to fire you for performance. If your employer has ten or fewer employees, they can fire you relatively easier, even outside of a probation period.

The notice period during probation is always shorter than after probation. For comparison:

• During Probezeit: 2 weeks' notice, any day
• After Probezeit: Minimum 4 weeks' notice, to the 15th or end of month
• After 2+ years: Longer notice periods apply (up to 7 months after 20 years)

Tip: The termination during probation can happen on any day — it does not need to align with the 15th or end of the month like it does after probation.

What happens at the end of a probation?

Your manager or someone from your Human Resources team will let you know that you have successfully (or not) completed your probation. There is no special documentation to signify the end of a probation — your employment simply continues under the regular terms of your contract.

After probation, your notice period automatically increases, and you gain additional protections under the Kündigungsschutzgesetz (Protection Against Dismissal Act) if your company has more than 10 employees.

Can I take holidays during probation?

Yes, you are allowed to. If you have 30 holidays for a year, then it gets prorated — 30 ÷ 12 = 2.5 holidays per month. If you have worked 3 months in probation, you receive 3 × 2.5 = 7.5 holidays.

Your employer can prevent you from taking holidays during probation if it is stated in your work contract. If your probation period or Probezeit has been terminated and you had unused holidays, your employer may only allow you to take prorated holidays of the legal limit.

In case your employer offers 30 holidays and you work 5 days a week, you are only legally obligated to have 20 holidays and the remaining 10 is a "benefit" that your employer provides. If your probation period is terminated, then the prorated days will be calculated on 20 days instead of 30 days.

What happens to unused holidays?

If you have unused vacation days / holidays when your work contract is terminated, your employer has to pay you for those days. Your employer can suggest you take your holidays before the end of the work contract, but they cannot force you to forfeit them.

Can I take sick days off during probation?

Yes, you can take days off for sickness. Sick days do not extend your probation period. If your contract was supposed to end on May 30, and you are off sick for 5 days, your contract will still end on May 30.

You are entitled to paid sick leave from day one of employment. Your employer must continue paying your full salary for up to 6 weeks (Entgeltfortzahlung). If you are sick for a longer period, you are entitled to Krankengeld from your health insurance.

Important: You need a doctor's certificate (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung) by the 4th day of illness, though many employers require it from day 1 — check your contract.

Can I be fired for taking sick days?

Your employer does not need to provide a reason for termination during probation, so they can fire you and you will not know the official reason. In practice, extended sick leave (several weeks off) during probation can be a factor, though they will never explicitly state this.

After probation, termination due to illness is much harder and requires a negative health prognosis and significant business impact.

How to resign during your probation?

Resignation works the same way as from a normal job. You can read our complete guide on how to write a resignation letter in Germany. The main difference is the notice period — only 2 weeks during probation, compared to 1, 3, or 6 months during regular employment.

Your resignation must be in writing — a physical letter with your original signature. An email or verbal resignation is not legally sufficient in Germany.

If you are on a Blue Card, read about how resigning from a job affects your residence permit.

If I switch to a different team in the same company, will I have another probation period?

This is possible but extremely uncommon. It is up to your employer. If the internal transfer requires no new contract, you are unlikely to go through probation again.

Do I get a salary raise after probation?

Unless a salary increase is written in your contract when you signed it, you do not automatically get a raise after probation. However, the end of probation is a natural moment to discuss compensation with your manager.

You can understand how much salary you will make after taxes using our salary calculator.

What to Do When You Are Fired During Probation

If you are fired from your job, or let go during probation, you should take note of several things immediately.

Receive a letter of termination

Your employer must provide a letter of termination (Kündigung) in writing — a physical letter, not email. A verbal communication is not sufficient. The same applies if you resign too.

Register with the Arbeitsagentur

You must register as job-seeking with the Arbeitsagentur (Federal Employment Agency) within 3 days of learning about your termination. This is critical for unemployment benefits and for maintaining your legal status if you are on a work visa.

Contact the Ausländerbehörde about your work permit

If you are on a work visa in Germany, you must inform the Ausländerbehörde and check how long you can stay in the country to look for a new job. Usually they provide a 3-month period for you to do this. For Blue Card holders, this period may be longer.

Start looking for a new job

Update your CV and resume with your latest details and start looking for a new job. Browse English-speaking jobs in Germany to find roles that match your skills. Once you find a new job, inform your Ausländerbehörde and get an appointment to extend your work permit if you are on a visa.

Claiming unemployment benefits

If you have fulfilled the conditions for unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld), you can claim them if you have been fired from your job. You need to have paid into the system for at least 12 months in the past 30 months. Do it as soon as you are aware that you have lost your job.

Inform your health insurance

Let your health insurance know when you will be unemployed from. They will adjust your payment schedule and let you know what it will cost you. If you receive Arbeitslosengeld, the Arbeitsagentur will cover your health insurance contributions.

Tips for Surviving Your Probezeit

1. Communicate proactively — Ask for regular feedback from your manager, ideally every 2-4 weeks
2. Understand expectations — Clarify what success looks like in your first 6 months on day one
3. Document everything — Keep records of your achievements, positive feedback, and completed projects
4. Be visible — Attend team events, volunteer for projects, and build relationships across the organization
5. Don't take too many sick days — While it is your legal right, frequent absences during Probezeit can create a negative impression
6. Learn some German — Even basic phrases show commitment and help you integrate faster

Pro tip: Schedule a 1-on-1 with your manager at the 3-month mark to get explicit feedback on your progress. This gives you time to course-correct if needed.

Related Resources

• Salary Calculator — See your net salary after taxes
• Blue Card in Germany — Everything about the EU Blue Card
• Sick Leave in Germany — Your complete rights guide
• Resigning Your Job in Germany — How to quit properly
• Browse English-speaking jobs in Germany and start your next career move with confidence