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A Termination Letter (Kündigungsschreiben) formally ends an employment relationship in Germany. It must follow strict legal requirements under German labor law, including the correct notice period (Kündigungsfrist) and a clear statement of when the employment ends. For most workers, employers need to provide specific reasons for termination as required by the Protection Against Dismissal Act (Kündigungsschutzgesetz).

The letter needs to be in writing, signed by hand, and delivered physically to the employee - email or verbal notice won't work under German law. It should state key details like the last working day and any reference to applicable collective agreements. Companies with works councils (Betriebsrat) must consult them before issuing termination letters to protected employees.

Use a Termination Letter when ending any employment relationship in Germany, from performance-based dismissals to organizational restructuring. The timing matters: you need to issue it before the notice period begins, which varies from 2 weeks for probationary employees to 7 months for long-term staff. For companies with more than 10 employees, valid reasons must be documented in the letter.

Critical situations requiring immediate termination letters include serious misconduct, long-term illness cases, or business closures. During mass layoffs, coordination with the works council and employment agency becomes essential 30 days before sending termination letters. Getting the timing wrong can make the termination invalid and expose your company to costly wrongful dismissal claims.

• Work Termination Letter: Standard employment termination format, including notice period and grounds for dismissal under German labor law
• Notice Of Termination: Formal document for immediate dismissals (außerordentliche Kündigung) due to serious misconduct
• Apartment Lease Termination Letter: Residential lease termination following German tenancy law requirements
• Lease Agreement Termination Letter: Commercial property lease termination with specific business premises provisions
• Tenant Notice To Vacate Letter: Tenant-initiated termination notice with required statutory notice periods

• HR Managers: Primary drafters of Termination Letters, responsible for ensuring compliance with German labor laws and internal policies
• Company Directors: Must sign termination notices as legal representatives, especially in companies with over 10 employees
• Works Councils: Review termination decisions before letters are issued, particularly during mass layoffs or for protected employees
• Legal Departments: Review complex terminations and ensure documentation meets Kündigungsschutzgesetz requirements
• Employees: Recipients who must acknowledge receipt, with rights to challenge the termination within three weeks
• Labor Courts: Handle disputes over termination validity and procedural compliance

• Employee Details: Gather full name, position, start date, and length of employment to determine notice periods
• Termination Grounds: Document valid reasons under German law, such as conduct, capability, or business requirements
• Notice Period: Calculate the correct notice period based on employment duration and applicable collective agreements
• Works Council Check: Confirm if consultation is required and obtain their statement before proceeding
• Documentation Review: Collect performance reviews, warnings, or business data supporting the termination
• Formal Requirements: Prepare for physical delivery, obtain proper signatures, and use German-language templates
• Final Settlements: Calculate remaining vacation days, outstanding compensation, and severance if applicable

• Header Information: Company details, employee's full name, and current position title
• Clear Termination Statement: Explicit declaration of employment contract termination (Kündigung)
• Notice Period: Specific last working day and applicable notice period calculation
• Legal Grounds: Valid reason for termination under Kündigungsschutzgesetz for companies with 10+ employees
• Reference Letter Rights: Statement about employee's entitlement to a work certificate (Arbeitszeugnis)
• Outstanding Matters: Vacation days, bonus payments, company property return requirements
• Signature Block: Space for authorized representative's original signature and date
• Legal Remedy Notice: Information about the three-week period to challenge the termination

A Termination Letter focuses specifically on ending employment relationships, while a Termination of Contract Letter has broader applications in German business law. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right document for your situation.

• Legal Framework: Termination Letters must comply with strict employment protection laws (Kündigungsschutzgesetz), while Contract Termination Letters follow general civil code provisions (BGB)
• Required Content: Employment terminations need specific elements like notice periods and works council statements; contract terminations focus on breach details and remedy provisions
• Timeline Requirements: Employment terminations have statutory notice periods; contract terminations can often take immediate effect
• Dispute Resolution: Employment cases go to labor courts (Arbeitsgerichte); contract disputes to civil courts (Zivilgerichte)
• Formal Requirements: Employment terminations require physical delivery and original signatures; contract terminations may allow electronic communication