The notice period (Kündigungsfrist) is the time between your cancellation and the end of a contract. If you want to end a contract, it usually doesn't end right away. You have to cancel a certain amount of time in advance. This time is called the notice period. It applies to you and often to the other side as well, for example your landlord or your employer.
Where you will see the word
The word appears in almost every contract. Typical examples are:
- Rental contract for your flat (Mietvertrag)
- Employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag)
- Mobile phone contract and internet contract
- Contracts for electricity and gas
- Insurance, for example liability insurance
- Memberships, for example at a gym
You can usually find the notice period in the contract under “Term” (Laufzeit) or “Cancellation” (Kündigung). A cancellation confirmation (Kündigungsbestätigung) also often states when the contract ends.
What you should do
- Read the contract: Look for the notice period and the minimum term (Mindestlaufzeit). Some contracts can only be ended after a certain amount of time.
- Calculate the deadline: What usually matters is the day your cancellation reaches the recipient. The day you send the letter is often not enough. So it's better to cancel a little early.
- Use the right form: Some contracts require a cancellation on paper with your signature. This applies, for example, to rental contracts and employment contracts. For other contracts, an email or an online form is enough.
- Keep proof: Send important cancellations by registered mail (Einschreiben) or ask for confirmation of receipt. Keep a copy.
- Check the confirmation: Wait for a written confirmation with the date on which the contract ends.
If you miss the deadline, the contract often continues. Then you have to keep paying.
Some notice periods are set by law. As a tenant, you usually have a notice period of three months. For an employment contract, the notice period depends on the contract, the collective agreement (Tarifvertrag) and how long you have worked at the company. During the probation period (Probezeit), the notice period is often shorter. With many newer contracts for mobile phones, internet or electricity, you can cancel every month after the minimum term. If you are unsure, ask an advice centre, for example a tenants' association (Mieterverein), the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or, for questions about work, a trade union (Gewerkschaft).
Example
- “Die Kündigungsfrist beträgt drei Monate zum Monatsende.” (The notice period is three months to the end of the month.)
- “Ihre Kündigung ist bei uns eingegangen. Unter Beachtung der Kündigungsfrist endet Ihr Vertrag am 31. August.” (We have received your cancellation. Taking the notice period into account, your contract ends on 31 August.)
- “Ich möchte meinen Vertrag kündigen. Wie lang ist die Kündigungsfrist?” (I would like to cancel my contract. How long is the notice period?)
Related terms
- Cancellation (Kündigung): The statement that you want to end a contract.
- Minimum term (Mindestlaufzeit): The minimum time a contract has to run before it can end.
- Contract term (Vertragslaufzeit): The whole period for which a contract is valid.
- Special right of cancellation (Sonderkündigungsrecht): The right to cancel early in special cases, for example often when the price goes up.
- Withdrawal period (Widerrufsfrist): A short time after signing during which you can withdraw from some contracts without giving a reason. This is different from a cancellation.
- Termination without notice (Fristlose Kündigung): A cancellation without a notice period. It is only possible if there is a serious reason.