Unkündbarkeit
In English: Protection from ordinary dismissal
Many collective agreements rule out ordinary dismissal after long service and a certain age. The company can then only buy you out.
Watch out: For you the Agentur für Arbeit assumes an 18-month notice period. A severance deal can pause your benefit for up to a year, even after a court settlement.
Legal basis
BGB §622(4), SGB III §158(1). Checked against the statute text on 12 November 2026.
Related terms
Open the simulator See Unkündbarkeit in action: work through a layoff case where it decides the outcome.
This page explains German employment law in general terms. It is not legal advice for your situation. If a layoff affects you, talk to an employment lawyer, your union or your Betriebsrat.