Ƶ

Termination Agreement Template for Germany

Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your document

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Termination Agreement

I need a termination agreement that outlines the mutual decision to end the employment relationship, includes a severance package equivalent to two months' salary, and specifies the return of company property within one week. The agreement should also include a confidentiality clause and a non-disparagement agreement.

What is a Termination Agreement?

A Termination Agreement (Aufhebungsvertrag) is a mutual contract between an employer and employee to end their working relationship by consent. Unlike a regular dismissal, this voluntary agreement lets both parties negotiate the terms of separation, including severance pay, remaining vacation days, and reference letters.

Under German labor law, these agreements offer important benefits: they help avoid lengthy notice periods, reduce the risk of wrongful termination lawsuits, and give both sides more flexibility in setting exit conditions. The contract must be signed in person (not digitally) and clearly state all terms to be legally valid under German Civil Code (BGB) requirements.

When should you use a Termination Agreement?

Consider using a Termination Agreement when you need a clean, mutually agreed break from an employment relationship in Germany. This approach works especially well for senior executives, during restructuring, or when an employee wants to leave before their notice period ends but needs a fair settlement package.

The agreement becomes valuable in sensitive situations - like performance issues or role eliminations - where both sides prefer to avoid conflicts and protect their reputations. It's particularly useful when you need to negotiate special terms around competition clauses, bonus payments, or company property handovers. Many German companies use it to prevent potential labor court disputes and maintain good relationships with departing staff.

What are the different types of Termination Agreement?

Who should typically use a Termination Agreement?

  • HR Departments: Usually draft and manage Termination Agreements, ensuring compliance with German labor laws and internal policies
  • Legal Counsel: Review agreements for legal validity, especially for complex cases or senior executive departures
  • Employers: Sign as the company representative, often through authorized management board members or department heads
  • Employees: Must voluntarily agree to terms and have the right to seek legal advice before signing
  • Works Councils: Often consulted in larger companies, particularly during collective redundancies or restructuring
  • Labor Courts: May review agreements if disputes arise about their validity or implementation

How do you write a Termination Agreement?

  • Employment Details: Gather exact start date, position, salary, and notice period from the original contract
  • Exit Timeline: Set clear termination date and handover schedule for responsibilities and company property
  • Financial Calculations: Calculate remaining salary, bonus entitlements, vacation days, and proposed severance pay
  • Special Clauses: List any non-compete agreements, confidentiality requirements, or reference letter promises
  • Works Council Input: Check if employee representation needs to be involved under German law
  • Document Generation: Use our platform to create a legally compliant agreement that includes all mandatory elements
  • Final Review: Ensure all terms are clear, fair, and written in plain language that both parties understand

What should be included in a Termination Agreement?

  • Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and roles of employer and employee
  • Termination Date: Clear statement of when employment relationship ends and last working day
  • Financial Terms: Detailed breakdown of final salary, severance pay, bonus payments, and outstanding benefits
  • Vacation Settlement: Calculation of remaining leave days and compensation
  • Release Clause: Mutual waiver of future claims under German labor law
  • Reference Letter: Agreement to provide Arbeitszeugnis (work certificate) and its basic content
  • Non-Compete Terms: Any post-employment restrictions and associated compensation
  • Data Protection: GDPR-compliant provisions for handling personal information
  • Signature Block: Space for handwritten signatures (digital signatures not valid under German law)

What's the difference between a Termination Agreement and a Conciliation Agreement?

A Termination Agreement (Aufhebungsvertrag) differs significantly from a Conciliation Agreement (Schlichtungsvereinbarung) in several key ways. While both documents aim to resolve workplace situations, they serve distinct purposes under German employment law.

  • Primary Purpose: Termination Agreements end employment relationships by mutual consent, while Conciliation Agreements resolve specific workplace disputes without necessarily ending employment
  • Timing of Effect: Termination Agreements set a definite end date for employment, whereas Conciliation Agreements focus on ongoing relationships and future conduct
  • Legal Consequences: Termination Agreements permanently end all employment rights and obligations, while Conciliation Agreements typically modify or clarify existing terms
  • Severance Terms: Termination Agreements usually include compensation packages, but Conciliation Agreements might focus on workplace adjustments or behavioral commitments
  • Works Council Role: Termination Agreements rarely require Works Council approval, while Conciliation Agreements often involve them as mediators

Get our Germany-compliant Termination Agreement:

Access for Free Now
*No sign-up required
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Find the exact document you need

Termination Of Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement

A German law-compliant agreement for terminating an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, specifying termination terms, property handover, and final settlements.

find out more

Termination Deed

A German law-governed agreement that mutually terminates an existing contractual relationship, setting out termination terms and post-termination obligations.

find out more

Cancellation Of Employment Contract

A German law-compliant document that formally terminates an employment relationship, incorporating required notice periods and termination terms under German labor law.

find out more

Letter Of Cancellation Of Contract

A formal document under German law used to terminate an existing contract, complying with BGB requirements and specifying termination terms.

find out more

Renter Termination Of Rental Agreement Letter By Tenant

A formal tenant's notice of rental agreement termination compliant with German law (BGB), serving to officially end a tenancy agreement.

find out more

Trust Termination Agreement

A German law-governed agreement that formally terminates a trust (Treuhand), facilitating asset distribution and trustee release.

find out more

Termination Of Contract Letter To Employer

A formal written notice document used by employees in Germany to terminate their employment relationship, complying with German employment law requirements and notice periods.

find out more

Termination Of Contract Letter To Employee

A formal letter terminating employment under German law, containing legally required termination details and notice period information.

find out more

Not Renewing Lease Letter To Tenant

A German law-compliant formal letter notifying a tenant that their lease agreement will not be renewed upon expiration.

find out more

Lease Termination Letter To Landlord

A formal notice of lease termination from tenant to landlord, compliant with German law (BGB), including termination date and property details.

find out more

Automatic Termination Of Contract

German law-compliant framework for automatic contract termination, specifying triggers, procedures, and consequences under BGB requirements.

find out more

Termination Letter To An Employee

A formal employment termination notice compliant with German law, including mandatory termination details and employment conclusion arrangements.

find out more

Termination Of Employment Contract By Employee

A formal employee-initiated employment termination notice compliant with German labor law requirements.

find out more

Non Disparagement Agreement After Termination

A German law-compliant agreement establishing mutual non-disparagement obligations between employer and departing employee following employment termination.

find out more

Fixed Term Tenancy Termination

A German law-compliant notice document for terminating a fixed-term tenancy agreement, following BGB requirements.

find out more

Relinquishment Agreement

A German law-governed agreement documenting the voluntary surrender of rights, claims, or interests by one party in favor of another.

find out more

Cancellation Of Agreement For Sale

A German law-compliant agreement that formally terminates an existing sale agreement and addresses the reversal of obligations between parties.

find out more

Termination Of Business Contract

A German law-governed agreement that formally terminates an existing business contract, outlining termination terms and post-termination obligations between parties.

find out more

Termination Of Contract By Agreement

A German law-compliant agreement for the mutual termination of an existing contract, including settlements and releases between parties.

find out more

Mutual Agreement To Terminate Employment

A German law-compliant mutual agreement between employer and employee to terminate employment, outlining separation terms and conditions.

find out more

Cancellation Contract

A German law-governed mutual agreement between employer and employee to terminate employment relationship, specifying termination terms and conditions.

find out more

Exit Agreement

A German law-governed mutual agreement between employer and employee establishing terms for consensual employment termination.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: /our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.