Notice period in Austria (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: The employee gives one month's notice to month end. The employer gives 6 weeks to quarter end, rising to 5 months after 25 years. Probation and severance rules are still being checked.

RuleWhat applies
Notice from the employeeNotice periodUnless a more favourable arrangement exists, the employee can end the contract on the last day of a calendar month with one month's notice. This can be extended by agreement up to half a year, but not beyond the period the employer must observe. [1]
Notice from the employerNotice periodThe employer can end the contract at the end of a calendar quarter. The notice period is 6 weeks. By agreement it can end on the 15th or the last day of a calendar month, but it cannot be shorter than 6 weeks. [1]
Longer notice for long serviceNotice periodThe employer's notice rises to 2 months after the second year of service, 3 months after the fifth, 4 months after the fifteenth and 5 months after the twenty-fifth year. [1]
Severance payNotice period⚠ Not yet verified
Probation periodNotice periodA contract agreed on a trial basis (auf Probe) can be ended by either party at any time during the first month (§ 1158(2) ABGB). [2]

Notes

  • Section 1159 ABGB applies to employment relationships generally; special rules exist for some sectors and by collective agreement.
  • Severance contributions under the Austrian "Abfertigung neu" scheme are paid into a staff provision fund; the source law has not been read yet.

Sources

  1. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch § 1159 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS): Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch § 1158 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.