Pay in Germany: What You're Owed and How to Get It

Unpaid wages, holiday pay after dismissal, equal pay: German law gives employees strong claims. But deadlines apply. Here’s what expats need to know.

Getting paid what you’re owed.

German employment law is employee-friendly on pay, but the protections only work if you act in time. Most employment contracts contain short exclusion periods (Ausschlussfristen): typically three months to assert a claim in writing, sometimes followed by another three months to file in court. Miss those, and valid claims disappear.

Employer hasn’t paid? Unpaid wages covers what to do, in what order, and how quickly.

Had unused holiday when your employment ended? You’re entitled to a payout, and employers often dispute it. Holiday pay after termination.

A male colleague doing the same job earns more? A recent Federal Labour Court ruling makes this significantly easier to challenge. Equal pay.

Court Decisions

These decisions of differnet courts are about the topic “wage”:

(pls. scroll aside)

FAQ

How long do I have to claim unpaid wages? Legally three years, but most employment contracts shorten this to three months. Check your contract. When in doubt, act immediately.

My employer is insolvent. Is there any point? Yes, but the rules and deadlines are different. Get in touch immediately.

What does a consultation cost? It depends on the amount at stake. Write me a brief summary and I’ll give you a straight answer.

Contact:

You can reach me by phone on regular business hours: +49-30/34060478, Whatsapp (text): +4916091067827 oder Email: helpline@meier-bading.de RA Meier-Bading has been working as a lawyer since more than 20 years.
He has 266 google-reviews
Rating: 5,0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
section:en: