Check first:
First, verify the agreed payday in your employment contract (for example: at the end of each month or on the 15th).
Check your bank account to see whether the amount might have been credited late.
Calmly ask the payroll department (Lohnbuchhaltung) or human resources; sometimes there is just a minor banking or administrative error.
If you do not receive an answer or the salary is still not paid after checking:
a) Send a written reminder (Mahnung):
Contact your employer formally by letter or e-mail, explain the delay, and state the exact amount and the due date.
Ask for immediate payment of your salary and set a short deadline (usually 5–7 days).
You can use wording like the following (in German):
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
mein Gehalt für den Monat [Monat/Jahr] ist bisher nicht auf meinem Konto eingegangen, obwohl der vereinbarte Zahlungstermin der [Datum] ist.
Ich bitte Sie, den ausstehenden Betrag umgehend, spätestens jedoch bis zum [neues Datum], zu überweisen.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Ihr Name]
b) Your right to interest and compensation:
Legally, you are entitled to claim default interest (Verzugszinsen) from your employer and compensation for any damage caused by the delay (§ 288 BGB), provided the delay has clearly led to a financial loss for you.
c) If the delay continues:
If the salary is still not transferred even after your written reminder, you can:
take your case to the labour court (Arbeitsgericht) to claim payment of your salary,
consult a labour-law attorney or seek support from your trade union (Gewerkschaft), if you are a member.
In many cases, the mere threat of legal action is enough to resolve the issue quickly.
d) No right to arbitrary deductions or delays:
Your employer is not allowed to deduct from or delay your salary without a valid legal reason (for example, a court-ordered wage garnishment or a specific written agreement).
Important notes:
Always keep copies of all correspondence and reminders.
Do not hesitate to act quickly – German labour law strongly protects employees in such situations.
Your employer is not allowed to punish or threaten you simply because you asserted your legal right to timely payment.
Conclusion:
Start with friendly communication, then follow up with a written reminder, and, if necessary, take legal steps.
In most cases, the problem is solved after the first formal reminder.
You have a full legal right to receive your salary on time and without unjustified delay.
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources when writing articles. However, errors may still occur or some information may be uncertain. Therefore, please treat the information in the articles as an initial reference only and always consult the competent authorities for binding and up-to-date information.
