Severance after 3 years of service in Germany
After 3 years of continuous service, the German severance rule of thumb sits between 1.5 and 4.5 gross monthly salaries. The notice period your employer must observe: 1 month to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 1 BGB).
With 3 years of continuous service, the German half-month rule (§ 1a KSchG / standard settlement formula) sets the baseline at 1.5 gross monthly salaries — that is, 0.5 × your monthly salary × 3. In a strong case (formal errors in the dismissal letter, special protection, flawed social selection) the factor can reach 1.0×–1.5× per year, lifting the figure to 4.5 monthly salaries. Your employer must observe a notice period of 1 month to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 1 BGB).
Written and reviewed by Fatih Bektas, German employment-law specialist (APOS Legal Heidelberg).
Severance at common salary brackets (3 years)
| Gross monthly salary | Baseline (0.5×) | Strong case (1.0×) | Top end (1.5×) |
|---|---|---|---|
| €2,500 | €3,750 | €7,500 | €11,250 |
| €3,500 | €5,250 | €10,500 | €15,750 |
| €5,000 | €7,500 | €15,000 | €22,500 |
| €7,500 | €11,250 | €22,500 | €33,750 |
These are illustrative numbers based on the standard half-month rule. Your real settlement depends on flaws in the dismissal, social selection, special protection, and bargaining posture.
What matters at 3 years of service
- 3-week filing deadline (§ 4 KSchG) applies regardless of tenure. Send the letter to a specialist immediately.
- KSchG protection applies once you have been employed more than 6 months — which you are. The employer must show conduct, person or operational grounds.
- Notice period: 1 month to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 1 BGB). A dismissal with the wrong notice is invalid for the period claimed.
- Settlement leverage at 3 years of service is limited but real — focus on formal flaws and special protection.
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After your enquiry we review the details and reply with an initial assessment — whether the dismissal can be challenged, how high a likely severance could be and which next steps make sense.
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