Notice period

Austria's notice period rule, governed by the Angestelltengesetz (Salaried Employees Act) Article 1 Section 20, establishes mandatory termination timelines for employment contracts. The notice period begins at six weeks from the date of notice and extends to two months once an employee completes two years of continuous service with the same employer.

This regulation applies to all salaried employees in Austria and sets the minimum duration employers and employees must observe before an employment relationship can legally end. The notice period runs from the date the terminating party submits written notice to the other party, and employment continues during this interval unless both parties agree otherwise. The six-week initial period applies from the first day of employment through the completion of the second anniversary. Upon reaching two years of service, the notice period automatically lengthens to two months, providing greater job security for longer-tenured staff.

The rule is codified in the Angestelltengesetz, Austria's primary legislation governing salaried employment relationships, and has remained substantively unchanged in its current form. Employers and payroll teams must track each employee's service commencement date to determine which notice period applies at any given time. Written notice must be delivered to the employee or employer as required by law, and the notice period cannot be shortened by mutual agreement except in cases of gross misconduct or other statutory exceptions. Failure to observe the correct notice period may render a termination invalid or expose the employer to legal liability for improper dismissal.