Lawyer for Expats in Germany
- English-speaking specialist lawyers from Germany
- Specialised in the individual needs and issues of expats – especially labour law, residence law and immigration law
- Free initial consultation specifically on your legal issue
One of our expat lawyers will help you with your case!
What you need to know about fair severance pay in Germany
Do you always have a right for severance pay in Germany?
When your services are no longer needed by your employer, you will very often get a severance payment (“Abfindung“). Even though there is no general statutory right to severance pay in Germany. However, when an employment relationship is this country is terminated, the employee will receive some kind of severance payment most of the time. Most employers agree to pay “something”, even if there is no 100% clear legal case for a severance payment. And in many cases, you have a legal right for a substantial payment. Calculate your fair severance package here:
How much would that be?
Well – that depends. The amount of severance payment to be paid by the employer in the event of termination depends on many factors – and is of course also the result of negotiations. However, there are three factors that are most relevant for the expected amount of a severance payment. These are:
- Type, effectiveness and grounds of the termination. This drives the multiple” (generally between 0.5 and 1.2, in some cases even higher and highly depending on your individual case.
- Length of service: How many years have you been employed at your company
- Last wage: Including bonuses and other variable elements
Will you need a lawyer?
Especially if the termination is not “justified” (happens a lot!), you should consider having a specialized employment lawyer negotiate your severance payment. Because he or she will obtain the fair amount of severance pay for you. To do so, a formal complaint against unfair dismissal to the labor court may be required. Finding the right lawyer can be tough. Platforms like severance-pay-germany.de can help.
One thing, however, is very important! You need to act within 3 weeks after receiving your termination to have any chances of a fair severance pay. You can find a severance calculator for a first estimate here:
How lawyer4expats and our partners can help you
Finding the right lawyer in germany can be tough. Our partner law firms are all law experts and specialise in the needs of expats. And our team will connect you with a lawyer that suits your needs (e.g. English spoken, labour law). Please contact us for a free initial consultation: