Employment & Labor

#BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 338Fourth Regulation on the Duration of Entitlement to Short-Time Work Allowance

🇩🇪Germany··Other·Medium Impact·Gazette #338·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This regulation, published on 19 December 2025 in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 338), extends the maximum period for which short-time work benefits (Kurzarbeitergeld) can be paid in Germany. It is the fourth such extension ordinance issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The ordinance modifies the entitlement period under the Social Code Book III, allowing companies facing temporary economic difficulties to continue receiving support for their reduced working hours employees for a longer duration than the standard legal limit. This measure aims to stabilize employment during periods of economic uncertainty by preventing mass layoffs.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Extends the maximum duration for receiving short-time work allowance beyond the standard legal period
  • Issued as the fourth extension ordinance (4. KugBeV) by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
  • Published in BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 338 on 19 December 2025 with entry into force following promulgation

+ 3 more changes with Pro

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Employers must apply for short-time work allowance (Kurzarbeitergeld) extensions within the extended maximum entitlement period established by this fourth regulation

Companies facing temporary economic difficulties employing workers on reduced hours
operational
high

Employers must comply with modified entitlement duration limits under Social Code Book III (SGB III) as amended by this regulation

All employers receiving short-time work allowance benefits
operational
high

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs must administer and enforce the new extended entitlement periods for short-time work benefits

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)
operational

Affected Parties

Manufacturing companiesExport-oriented businesses+4 more…

Tags

Kurzarbeitergeld,short-time work,employment stabilization