DE | EN | RU

info@winheller.com+49 (0)69 76 75 77 80Mon. - Fri. from 8am to 8pm, Sat. from 8am to 5pm

Concluding fixed-term Employment Contracts Easier for Start-ups in Germany

Jun 28, 18 • Employment LawNo Comments

When starting an enterprise, many steps need to be taken: selecting the business form, registration, opening a business account. For many founders, the recruitment of employees is also on top of their to-do list. There are good reasons why employees mostly wish to get a permanent employment contract. However, permanent contracts may not always be a feasible option for a young enterprise immediately after its foundation. The German legislator wants to support start-ups in the initial phase by allowing them to conclude special fixed-term contracts right after their foundation.

Fixed-term contracts without reason permitted during the first four years

According to the German Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act (Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz), during the first four years after its foundation, an enterprise may conclude fixed-term employment contracts for a period of up to four years without any substantive reason. The company may even renew such fixed-term employment contracts for up to a total period of four years. An existing enterprise, on the other hand, may conclude fixed-term employment contracts without reason for two years only.

Advantages of fixed-term contracts for enterprises

One advantage of fixed-term contracts is that the employment relationship automatically ends upon expiry of the time period. As no dismissal is required, no regulations on employment protection need to be observed. In practice, this may be a considerable advantage for enterprises, e.g. when additional employees are required for temporary projects only.

In this context, “enterprise” is meant to include individuals, private companies (Gesellschaften des bürgerlichen Rechts), partnerships (OHG, KG), and corporate entities (GmbH, AG, etc.).

Fixed-term contracts possible even after four-year period

As the more favorable conditions for concluding fixed-term contracts apply during the whole period of four years after the foundation of an enterprise, an employer may conclude the first fixed-term contract at any time, even on the last day, of the four-year period. This is permitted even if the term of the contract to be concluded exceeds the four-year limit after foundation.

More favorable conditions do not apply in case of reorganizations

The extended period for concluding fixed-term contracts does not apply to new foundations in connection with a legal reorganization of an enterprise or group.

The more favorable conditions for concluding fixed-term contracts may be used, however, if a newly founded enterprise takes over an organization that has been existing for a longer period of time by way of a transfer of business.

Our attorneys specializing in German labor law will be pleased to advise you on all aspects of employment contracts and fixed-term employments.

Continue reading:
No combination of employment periods as temporary worker and actual employee in Germany
Common mistakes in German emplyoment contracts

Ellen Pusch

Ellen Pusch specializes in employment law and inheritance law at our Munich office. She drafts and optimizes employment agreements as well as specific types of termination agreements and assists with restructuring projects and M&A transactions (transfers of undertakings).

>> show profile

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

WINHELLER Blog via Newsletter

Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive regular updates on German business law by e-mail. (Mandatory fields are marked with *)

German Business Law News (4 times a year)
I would like to subscribe to the selected newsletter and for that purpose give my consent to WINHELLER to process my above mentioned data. I have read the "Information for Data Processing in the Newsletter Subscription". I understand that I can revoke my consent at any time with effect for the future by clicking the unsubscribe button within the newsletter. *