Severance after 8 years of service in Germany
After 8 years of continuous service, the German severance rule of thumb sits between 4.0 and 12.0 gross monthly salaries. The notice period your employer must observe: 3 months to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 3 BGB).
With 8 years of continuous service, the German half-month rule (§ 1a KSchG / standard settlement formula) sets the baseline at 4.0 gross monthly salaries — that is, 0.5 × your monthly salary × 8. 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 12.0 monthly salaries. Your employer must observe a notice period of 3 months to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 3 BGB).
Written and reviewed by Fatih Bektas, German employment-law specialist (APOS Legal Heidelberg).
Severance at common salary brackets (8 years)
| Gross monthly salary | Baseline (0.5×) | Strong case (1.0×) | Top end (1.5×) |
|---|---|---|---|
| €2,500 | €10,000 | €20,000 | €30,000 |
| €3,500 | €14,000 | €28,000 | €42,000 |
| €5,000 | €20,000 | €40,000 | €60,000 |
| €7,500 | €30,000 | €60,000 | €90,000 |
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 8 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: 3 months to the end of the calendar month (§ 622 (2) 3 BGB). A dismissal with the wrong notice is invalid for the period claimed.
- Settlement leverage at 8 years of service is moderate — 0.5×–0.75× is normal; more with formal flaws.
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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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