Digital Signing of German Work Contracts to Begin in 2025
Germany Passes Law Allowing Digital Signatures for Work Contracts
Starting January 1, 2025, new employees in Germany will be able to sign work contracts digitally, eliminating the need for a handwritten, wet-ink signature.
Under the current Verification Law (Nachweisgesetz), German employers can send digital copies of work contracts, but a physical copy with a wet signature from both parties is still required. The new law allows a digital signature to validate a contract, as long as it contains key details such as the names and addresses of the employee and employer, employment start date, and agreed working hours.
The digital signature does not need to be a qualified electronic signature (QES), which requires ID verification, and can be as simple as plain text. However, wet signatures will still be mandatory for fixed or short-term contracts and in certain industries like hospitality, logistics, and meat processing.
The law also enables important work documents to be shared electronically, removing the need for physical copies. This includes sharing work schedules, breaks, and applications for parental or caregiving leave. Employers can now also send an Arbeitszeugnisse, or work certificate, electronically when an employee departs, without needing a physical version.