Probation (Probezeit) on a first German employment contract is often shorter notice for both sides, not a free trial with zero consequences. Candidates relocating internationally feel this more sharply: a short notice period after an expensive move can wipe out savings.
Notice during probation
Many contracts allow two weeks’ notice during probation. Read the exact wording. Some roles under collective agreements differ. If your relocation depended on employer-paid moving support, check whether repayment clauses survive a probation exit.
Performance expectations
Probation is also when managers form early judgments. Arriving mid-probation with unfinished Anmeldung and banking delays can look like disorganisation even when the cause is administrative. Build buffer days before your official start when you can.
When to ask HR questions
Before signing, ask how onboarding handles delayed residence paperwork and whether start dates have slipped for previous international hires. Concrete precedent matters more than reassurance.