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Resign and get an Arbeitszeugnis

Selected criteria

  1. I’m planning to leave Germany
  2. Work, taxes and benefits
  3. Leave my job and get an Arbeitszeugnis

This scenario helps you prepare to resign calmly: first check the terms of your employment contract and your residence status, then determine your leaving date and submit your notice in the appropriate form. After that, you can arrange the handover, check remaining leave, and request documents from your employer. Separate material can help if you are in your probationary period, want to understand leave, or may need to register with the Agentur für Arbeit between jobs. The rules depend on your contract, type of residence permit, and specific situation, so disputed or unusual cases are best reviewed separately before you submit a Kündigung.

Plan overview

A sequence for preparing to resign, submitting a Kündigung, checking leave, and obtaining an Arbeitszeugnis.

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Check your contract, notice period, and residence permit conditions

    Open your employment contract, confirm the Kündigungsfrist, and check restrictions related to your work permit.

    Articles for this step

    How to Resign in Germany: Deadlines, Documents, and 7 Steps for a Smooth Exit Employment Contracts in Germany: What to Check Before Signing
  2. 2

    Determine your last working day

    Calculate the date so that your notice is received by the employer in time.

    Articles for this step

    How to Resign in Germany: Deadlines, Documents, and 7 Steps for a Smooth Exit Resignation Letter in Germany: Structure, Notice Periods, and German Phrases
  3. 3

    Prepare and deliver your resignation notice

    Prepare a signed paper Kündigung, and keep a copy and proof of delivery.

    Articles for this step

    Resignation Letter in Germany: Structure, Notice Periods, and German Phrases
  4. 4

    Arrange leave and handover

    Check unused leave, discuss your last working day, and prepare the handover of tasks.

    Articles for this step

    Vacation in Germany: Employee Rights, Day Calculation and Compensation How to Resign in Germany: Deadlines, Documents, and 7 Steps for a Smooth Exit
  5. 5

    Request and check your Arbeitszeugnis

    Ask your employer for a reference, then read its wording and conclusion carefully after receiving it.

    Articles for this step

    Resignation Letter in Germany: Structure, Notice Periods, and German Phrases Arbeitszeugnis in Germany: How to Read an Employer’s Performance Review
  6. 6

    Consider special conditions if you are in Probezeit

    If you resign during the probationary period, separately check the contract terms and process for your situation.

    Articles for this step

    Probation Period in Germany: Probezeit, Dismissal, Vacation, and Sick Leave
  7. 7

    Prepare for a possible period without work

    If there will be a gap after leaving, check the process for registering and applying for Arbeitslosengeld.

    Articles for this step

    Arbeitslosengeld in Germany: ALG eligibility, registration deadlines, and documents

Important notes

  • If your work permit is tied to an employer or profession, first clarify the process for your case.
  • Use a paper notice with your handwritten signature.
  • Do not rely only on a template if your situation is unusual.

Common mistakes

  • Sending a Kündigung only electronically
  • Not keeping proof of delivery
  • Not checking remaining leave