To quit your job, you must give a resignation letter (Kündigungsschreiben or Kündigungserklärung) to your employer. Your notice period starts when your employer receives your resignation letter.
Resignation letter template
{{ formatName(recipientGender, recipientFirstName, recipientLastName, language) }}
Date: {{ currentDate.toLocaleDateString("en-US") }}
Employee number: {{ employeeNumber }} Name:
Datum: {{ currentDate.toLocaleDateString("de-DE") }}
Personalnummer: {{ employeeNumber }}
Send the German version to your employer.
Subject: Termination of my employment contract
Employee number: {{ employeeNumber }}
Betreff: Kündigung meines Arbeitsvertrages
Personalnummer: {{ employeeNumber }}
{{ formatSalutations(recipientGender, recipientFirstName, recipientLastName, language) }},
I hereby give notice of my resignation in accordance with the applicable notice period on {{ formatDate(lastDayOfWork, 'en-US') }}. Alternatively, I hereby resign at the earliest possible date.
I hereby give notice of my resignation of my employment in accordance with the applicable notice period, effective at the earliest possible date.
Hiermit kündige ich mein Arbeitsverhältnis unter Einhaltung der maßgeblichen Kündigungsfrist ordentlich zum {{ formatDate(lastDayOfWork, 'de-DE') }}. Hilfsweise kündige ich zum nächstmöglichen Termin.
Hiermit kündige ich mein Arbeitsverhältnis unter Einhaltung der maßgeblichen Kündigungsfrist ordentlich zum nächstmöglichen Termin.
Please confirm receipt of this resignation notice and the termination date of my employment in writing.
Bitte bestätigen Sie mir den Erhalt dieser Kündigung und das Beendigungsdatum meines Arbeitsverhältnisses schriftlich.
Additionally, please promptly send me the following documents:
Zusätzlich, senden Sie mir bitte umgehend die folgenden Dokumente:
- a letter of reference (Arbeitszeugnis)
- a provisional letter of reference (vorläufiges Arbeitszeugnis)
- a qualified letter of reference (qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis)
- a vacation certificate (Urlaubsbescheinigung)
- Arbeitszeugnis
- vorläufiges Arbeitszeugnis
- qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis
- Urlaubsbescheinigung
Best regards,
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
{{ language === 'en' ? 'Signature' : 'Unterschrift' }}
How to write a resignation letter
Use my German resignation letter generator.
Your resignation letter must be short and precise. Don’t add unnecessary information; it could be used against you.9
Your resignation letter must include:
- Your full name and address
- Your employer’s full name and address
- The date of your resignation
- The word Kündigung in the subject line
- The correct addressee – This is usually your manager, or the human resources department.6
- Your signature – Sign the letter by hand. A digital signature, a scanned signature, initials or a stamp are not enough.10
Your resignation letter can include:
- Your contact information, if your employer needs to contact you later
- Your employee number, if you have one
- A request for a reference letter (Arbeitszeugnis)
- A request for an Urlaubsbescheinigung
- A note to thank your employer and your team
Your resignation letter should not include:
- Why you quit your job5
- What you plan to do next
- Feedback for your employer or your team
Language of your resignation letter
Write your resignation letter in German. If you work in an English-speaking office, you can write your resignation letter in English, but German is safer.8
How to give your resignation letter
Your resignation letter must be printed and signed. An email, a fax, an instant message or a conversation is not enough.1 Your resignation is only official when your employer receives your resignation letter.11
There are 2 ways to give your resignation letter.
- In person 7
Give your resignation letter to your employer in person. Bring a witness that saw the letter and can confirm that it was delivered.4 If you have a witness, you can guarantee that your employer received your resignation. If the witness has a copy, they can confirm what was in your resignation letter. - By post
If you live far away, send your resignation letter by registered mail with proof of delivery (Einwurf-Einschreiben). Never use registered mail with receipt (Einschreiben mit Rückschein) because your employer can refuse the letter.3 This can delay your resignation.
Your employer does not need to confirm or accept your resignation.
Who should receive the letter
Ask your employer. You usually give the resignation letter to your manager, or to the human resources department.
What happens next
When your employer receives your resignation letter, your notice period (Kündigungsfrist) begins.
Keep a copy of your resignation letter. The Agentur für Arbeit asks for it when you apply for unemployment benefits.2
How to quit your job in Germany
Need help?
English-speaking lawyers in Berlin
Sources and footnotes
-
Interview with an unemployed person (July 2023) ⤴
-
Andreas Martin (August 2025) ⤴
-
Andreas Martin (August 2025), karrierebibel.de ⤴
-
Andreas Martin (August 2025), Rotwang Law (June 2023) ⤴
-
ArbeitNow, roberthalf.com, karrierebibel.de, peopleatventure.de ⤴