{"id":4417,"date":"2026-07-06T09:37:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T07:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/knowledge-base\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T09:58:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T07:58:49","slug":"knowledge-base","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/","title":{"rendered":"German law \u2014 explained clearly."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"progress\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n<header>\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <a href=\"\/en\/\" class=\"brand\" aria-label=\"BWLAW \u2013 home\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/bwlaw-child-1\/assets\/img\/logo-bw.png\" alt=\"BWLAW \u2013 law firm in Germany\" width=\"42\" height=\"28\"><\/a>\n    <nav aria-label=\"Main navigation\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/construction-law\/\">Construction law<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/debt-collection\/\">Debt collection<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/company-formation\/\">Corporate law<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/employment-law\/\">Employment law<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/en\/defective-car-from-germany\/\">Cars<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/\" class=\"active\" aria-current=\"page\">Knowledge base<\/a>\n      <a href=\"\/en\/#zespol\">Team<\/a>\n    <\/nav>\n    <a href=\"\/en\/#kontakt\" class=\"btn\">Contact a lawyer <span class=\"arr\">\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n    <button class=\"burger\" aria-label=\"Menu\">\u2630<\/button>\n  <\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<!-- HERO -->\n<section class=\"shero\">\n  <div class=\"glow\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"wrap\" style=\"grid-template-columns:1fr\">\n    <div>\n      <nav class=\"crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\"><a href=\"\/en\/\">Home<\/a><span>\/<\/span><b>Knowledge base<\/b><\/nav>\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">Knowledge base<\/span>\n      <h1>German law \u2014 <em>explained clearly.<\/em><\/h1>\n      <p class=\"lead\">Guides and videos on what really matters to clients: dismissal and severance, unpaid invoices, construction contracts, starting a company. Written the way we advise \u2014 concretely and without legalese. Articles are currently available in Polish, with translations to follow.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- ARTYKU\u0141Y -->\n<section class=\"sec\" id=\"artykuly\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"sec-head rv\">\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">Guides<\/span>\n      <h2>Articles by practice area<\/h2>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"filters rv\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Filter articles\">\n      <button class=\"on\" data-f=\"all\">All<\/button>\n      <button data-f=\"praca\">Employment<\/button>\n      <button data-f=\"budowlane\">Construction<\/button>\n      <button data-f=\"windykacja\">Debt collection<\/button>\n      <button data-f=\"firmy\">Corporate<\/button>\n      <button data-f=\"samochody\">Cars<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kb-grid rv d1\" id=\"kbGrid\">\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Notice periods \u2014 four weeks or seven months<\/h3>\r\n        <p>The basic period, the seniority extension and probation under sec. 622 BGB. Why years before age 25 count, why an e-mail is not enough and which two deadlines follow.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/notice-periods-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>BEM for employers \u2014 duties, process, proper closure<\/h3>\r\n        <p>When the duty arises, what a court-proof invitation contains, how to document the process and how to close a BEM when the employee goes silent. Guide with checklist.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/bem-employer-guide-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Dismissed after sick leave? The BEM check that decides cases<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Without a proper BEM the employer must prove the procedure would have been useless \u2014 which almost never succeeds. Typical mistakes, the Integration Office and the three-week deadline.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/dismissal-after-sick-leave-bem\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>BEM meeting in Germany \u2014 your rights after long sick leave<\/h3>\r\n        <p>After six weeks of sick leave your employer must offer a BEM. Participation is voluntary, you may bring a lawyer, and no blanket data consent is required. What refusal costs you \u2014 and what it does not.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/bem-meeting-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"firmy\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Corporate<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Choice of law \u2014 Rome I and the CISG trap<\/h3>\r\n        <p>A governing law clause does not do everything: it neither excludes the CISG nor decides which court hears the dispute nor overrides mandatory provisions. How to draft it well.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/choice-of-law-german-contracts\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>SOKA-BAU when posting workers \u2014 rates, A1, defence<\/h3>\r\n        <p>A posting company pays 14.7% into the holiday fund and the A1 certificate does not shield it. When the obligation arises, how the general contractor is liable and how to respond to a payment order.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 12 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/soka-bau-posting-workers\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Severance pay tax \u2014 how the one-fifth rule works<\/h3>\r\n        <p>No social security on severance pay, but full income tax. The F\u00fcnftelregelung step by step, a 2026 worked example and why a tax return is now essential.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/severance-pay-tax-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Druckk\u00fcndigung \u2014 dismissal under staff pressure and its strict limits<\/h3>\r\n        <p>The workforce demands a colleague&#8217;s dismissal and the employer gives in. The strict BAG test, warnings during sick leave, sick pay and the Christmas bonus. A Munich labour court case study.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 11 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/druckkuendigung-dismissal-under-pressure\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"samochody\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Cars<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Accident-damaged car from Germany \u2014 &#8220;not accident-free&#8221; does not save the dealer<\/h3>\r\n        <p>A concealed total loss and a generic note in the invoice. LG K\u00f6ln: the formula fails the \u00a7 476 BGB test \u2014 the consumer recovers the purchase price.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/accident-damaged-car-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Summary dismissal \u2014 the two-week deadline and the warning requirement<\/h3>\r\n        <p>The \u00a7 626(2) BGB clock starts when the employer learns the facts, and a prior hearing can bar summary dismissal. ArbG Arnsberg 1 Ca 877\/25 explained.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/summary-dismissal-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>The interim payment injunction \u2014 fast money for extra work<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Courts can order 80 % of the change-order offer as an interim payment, also under VOB\/B \u2014 if the offer was concrete, the change concerned the works and the application came in time.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/interim-payment-injunction-german-construction\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Contractor termination \u2014 \u00a7 643 BGB when the principal fails to cooperate<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Default of acceptance, deadline notice with termination warning, written form under \u00a7 650h BGB and settlement under \u00a7 645 BGB \u2014 step by step.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/contractor-termination-643-bgb\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Compensation for a terminated construction contract \u2014 the large termination payment<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Getting paid also for unperformed works: the verifiable final invoice, settling &#8220;from the top&#8221; up to 5 per cent, VAT after the ECJ ruling and the formula AWE = T \u00d7 A.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/compensation-terminated-construction-contract-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Extra work (Nachtrag) \u2014 pricing, proof and payment security<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Actual costs plus a 1.05\u20131.2 markup, breakdown into material, plant and labour, \u00a7 650f BGB security and the 1 % cap on percentage invoice deductions.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/extra-work-nachtrag-german-construction\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Arbitration clauses in German contracts \u2014 how far they reach<\/h3>\r\n        <p>DIS arbitration, a waiver of the AGB review, a 10% contractual penalty \u2014 what the Federal Court of Justice decided in I ZB 48\/24 and what to check before signing.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/arbitration-clause-german-contract\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>False self-employment \u2014 when a subcontractor is really an employee<\/h3>\r\n        <p>A customs check, 103,000 euros in back contributions and a contract that did not help. How German courts assess subcontractor status on site.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/false-self-employment-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Who falls under SOKA-Bau \u2014 fitting windows is construction<\/h3>\r\n        <p>BAG ruling: advice, canvassing and warehouse time all count towards construction time. How to assess your own company and push back against average-wage claims.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/who-falls-under-soka-bau\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Terminating a construction contract for cause \u2014 \u00a7 648a BGB and VOB\/B<\/h3>\r\n        <p>When a German construction contract can be terminated without notice, which warnings must come first and how the completed works are settled afterwards.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/termination-construction-contract-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Construction defects \u2014 who must prove them, before and after acceptance<\/h3>\r\n        <p>The advance on expert fees, acceptance as the turning point, defects repaired without documentation \u2014 the burden-of-proof rules that decide German construction disputes.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/construction-defects-burden-of-proof-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"samochody\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Cars<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Bought a used car for your business? When the warranty exclusion does not hold<\/h3>\r\n        <p>&#8220;Unter Ausschluss jeglicher Gew\u00e4hrleistung&#8221;? Under BGH case law a blanket exclusion in a form contract is invalid even between businesses \u2014 and it never covers fraud.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/warranty-exclusion-used-car-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Employer refuses sick pay \u2014 when a sick note can be challenged<\/h3>\r\n        <p>A sick note matching the notice period to the day, certificates from abroad, online sick notes without examination \u2014 recent BAG and LAG rulings on when sick pay can be withheld.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/employer-refuses-sick-pay-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Dismissal due to illness \u2014 it&#8217;s not about the number of sick days alone<\/h3>\r\n        <p>More than 220 days on sick leave in five years \u2014 and the employee won. One-off illnesses are deducted, and up to six weeks a year is the employer&#8217;s own risk.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/dismissal-due-to-illness-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\r\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"samochody\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Cars<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Rolled-back odometer on a car bought in Germany \u2014 how to prove it and what to claim<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Nearly 90,000 km vanished from the odometer \u2014 and the buyer still lost in court. What really decides odometer-fraud cases and how to secure evidence.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/rolled-back-odometer-car-from-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"samochody\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Cars<\/span>\n        <h3>Car bought in Germany broke down after purchase? Who must prove the defect<\/h3>\n        <p>The car burned out four months after purchase, the cause was never established \u2014 and the buyer still had a chance to win. How the one-year presumption works.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/car-from-germany-broke-down-after-purchase\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>Dismissed in Germany \u2014 what to do? The 21-day checklist<\/h3>\n        <p>Step by step: from the delivery date and formal checks to the claim decision. With a deadline calculator.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/employment-law\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span><span class=\"soon\">Soon<\/span>\n        <h3>Severance (Abfindung): when it is due and how to calculate it<\/h3>\n        <p>Half a salary per year is only the starting point. What the amount really depends on.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"#\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\r\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\r\n        <h3>Aufhebungsvertrag \u2014 the termination agreement<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Germany&#8217;s mutual termination agreement explained in English: differences from a dismissal, severance from 0.5 salaries per year, the 12-week benefit suspension and the clauses to check before signing.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/aufhebungsvertrag-termination-agreement\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span><span class=\"soon\">Soon<\/span>\n        <h3>VOB\/B in practice: 7 mistakes subcontractors make<\/h3>\n        <p>Obstruction notices, reservation notices, the final invoice \u2014 the duties that cost the most when ignored.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 9 min read<\/span><a href=\"#\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span><span class=\"soon\">Soon<\/span>\n        <h3>Sec. 650f BGB: how to force the principal to secure payment<\/h3>\n        <p>The Bauhandwerkersicherung \u2014 the most effective lever most companies do not know.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"#\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\n        <h3>SOKA-BAU: contribution duties and refunds for foreign firms<\/h3>\n        <p>Who the construction leave fund covers, how to obtain refunds and what to watch when posting workers.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/soka-bau\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"windykacja\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Debt collection<\/span>\n        <h3>Mahnbescheid \u2014 what it is and when it pays off<\/h3>\n        <p>The German court payment order: costs, deadlines, objections and the steps after obtaining a title.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/mahnbescheid-german-payment-order\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"windykacja\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Debt collection<\/span>\n        <h3>Statute of limitations \u2014 the three-year rule and the deadlines that matter<\/h3>\n        <p>Three years from year-end under secs. 195, 199 BGB, five and 30-year periods, suspension by lawsuit or Mahnbescheid, restart under sec. 212 BGB.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 8 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/limitation-periods-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"firmy\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Corporate<\/span><span class=\"soon\">Soon<\/span>\n        <h3>GmbH step by step: costs, timing, pitfalls<\/h3>\n        <p>From the notary appointment to the commercial register \u2014 with a realistic timeline and cost list.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 10 min read<\/span><a href=\"#\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"firmy\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Corporate<\/span>\n        <h3>Sole trade, UG or GmbH \u2014 what to start with in Germany?<\/h3>\n        <p>A comparison in numbers: liability, taxes and credibility with business partners.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/gewerbe-ug-or-gmbh\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"windykacja\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Debt collection<\/span>\n        <h3>Your German partner is insolvent \u2014 how to file your claim<\/h3>\n        <p>Insolvency proceedings from the creditor\u2019s view: deadlines, the claims schedule, realistic recovery.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/german-debtor-insolvency\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>Arbeitszeugnis: how to decode a German employment reference<\/h3>\n        <p>\u201cStets zur vollen Zufriedenheit\u201d is not a compliment? The grade code and your right to a correction.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/arbeitszeugnis-reference-code\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>A warning letter from your employer \u2014 what it means and how to react<\/h3>\n        <p>A warning is often the prelude to dismissal. When it is unjustified and how to respond.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 5 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/warning-letter-abmahnung\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>Summary dismissal (fristlose K\u00fcndigung) \u2014 how to defend yourself<\/h3>\n        <p>Good cause under sec. 626 BGB, the employer\u2019s two-week deadline and the defence strategy.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 5 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/immediate-dismissal-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>What a case before the German labour court looks like<\/h3>\n        <p>Claim, conciliation hearing, judgment \u2014 the process, costs and duration.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/german-labour-court\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"praca\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Employment<\/span>\n        <h3>Sick leave in Germany (Krankschreibung) \u2014 your rights<\/h3>\n        <p>Six weeks of full pay, then sickness benefit. And the myth that you cannot be dismissed while on sick leave.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 5 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/sick-leave-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\n        <h3>Foreign construction companies in Germany \u2014 the rules at a glance<\/h3>\n        <p>A1 certificates and notifications, SOKA-BAU, trade law, construction withholding tax and contract choice \u2014 the map before market entry.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 7 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/foreign-construction-companies-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\n        <h3>The final invoice (Schlussrechnung) that decides your money<\/h3>\n        <p>Requirements for a verifiable final invoice, the review period and the trap of unreserved acceptance.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 5 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/final-invoice-schlussrechnung\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"budowlane\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Construction<\/span>\n        <h3>The reservation notice that protects the contractor<\/h3>\n        <p>Faulty design, unsuitable ground, others\u2019 mistakes: how to give notice so you are not liable for defects you did not cause.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 5 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/bedenkenanmeldung\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"firmy\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Corporate<\/span>\n        <h3>A branch office (Zweigniederlassung) of a foreign company<\/h3>\n        <p>When a branch beats a GmbH: registration, liability, taxes and practice.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/branch-office-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n      <article class=\"kb-card\" data-cat=\"firmy\">\n        <span class=\"cat\">Corporate<\/span>\n        <h3>Posting workers to Germany \u2014 the employer\u2019s duties<\/h3>\n        <p>A1 certificates, customs notification, minimum wage, audit documentation and liability in the subcontractor chain.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"meta\"><span>\u2248 6 min read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/posting-workers-germany\/\">Read \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n      <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- YOUTUBE -->\n<section class=\"sec alt\" id=\"filmy\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"sec-head rv\">\n      <span class=\"eyebrow\">Video<\/span>\n      <h2>We explain German law \u2014 on YouTube<\/h2>\n      <p>Short videos on dismissals, severance and running a business in Germany (in Polish). See how we talk about law before we meet.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- PLACEHOLDER: podmie\u0144 ID film\u00f3w (data-yt) na aktualne z kana\u0142u kancelarii -->\n    <div class=\"yt-grid rv d1\">\n      <button class=\"yt\" data-yt=\"j0O6YNS1r0A\" aria-label=\"Play video: BWLAW on German law\"><span class=\"yt-tag\">About the firm<\/span>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/j0O6YNS1r0A\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"BWLAW video on German law\" loading=\"lazy\">\n        <span class=\"play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>\u25b6<\/span><\/span>\n        <span class=\"yt-note\">BWLAW \u2014 German law explained<\/span>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"yt\" data-cat=\"praca\" data-yt=\"j0O6YNS1r0A\" aria-label=\"Play the video about dismissal in Germany\"><span class=\"yt-tag\">Employment<\/span>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/j0O6YNS1r0A\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Video about dismissal in Germany\" loading=\"lazy\">\n        <span class=\"play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>\u25b6<\/span><\/span>\n        <span class=\"yt-note\">Dismissal in Germany \u2014 first steps<\/span>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"yt\" data-cat=\"firmy\" data-yt=\"j0O6YNS1r0A\" aria-label=\"Play the video about starting a company in Germany\"><span class=\"yt-tag\">Corporate<\/span>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/j0O6YNS1r0A\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Video about starting a company in Germany\" loading=\"lazy\">\n        <span class=\"play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>\u25b6<\/span><\/span>\n        <span class=\"yt-note\">A company in Germany \u2014 where to start<\/span>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"yt-consent rv\">Videos load from YouTube only after you click \u2014 your data (e.g. IP address) is then transmitted to Google. 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Describe yours \u2014 you will get a concrete answer and a quote.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"row rv d3\">\n      <a href=\"\/en\/#kontakt\" class=\"btn\">Contact a lawyer <span class=\"arr\">\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n      <a href=\"tel:+4933555310969\" class=\"phone\">\u260e +49 335 553 10969<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<footer>\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"foot-grid\">\n      <div>\n        <div class=\"foot-brand\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/bwlaw-child-1\/assets\/img\/logo-bw.png\" alt=\"Logo BWLAW\" width=\"38\" height=\"26\"><\/div>\n        <p>Kanzlei Dr. Barczewski &amp; Dr. Wr\u00f3blewska GbR<br>Rudolf-Breitscheid-Stra\u00dfe 10<br>15230 Frankfurt (Oder), Germany<br><a href=\"tel:+4933555310969\">+49 335 553 10969<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"mailto:info@bwlaw.de\">info@bwlaw.de<\/a><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div>\n        <div class=\"foot-h\">Practice areas<\/div>\n        <ul>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/construction-law\/\">Construction law \/ VOB\/B<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/employment-law\/\">Employment law<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/debt-collection\/\">Debt collection<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/practice-areas\/company-formation\/\">Corporate law<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"\/en\/defective-car-from-germany\/\">Defective car from Germany<\/a><\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n      <div>\n        <div class=\"foot-h\">Legal<\/div>\n        <ul>\n          <li><a href=\"\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/knowledge-base\/\">Knowledge base<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/impressum\/\">Impressum<\/a><\/li>\n          <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy policy<\/a><\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"foot-bottom\">\n      <span>\u00a9 2026 BWLAW \u00b7 Kanzlei Dr. Barczewski &amp; Dr. Wr\u00f3blewska GbR<\/span>\n      <span>Rechtsanw\u00e4lte \u00b7 attorneys-at-law \u00b7 Frankfurt (Oder)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/footer>\n\n<div class=\"sticky-cta\">\n  <a href=\"tel:+4933555310969\" class=\"call\">\u260e Call us<\/a>\n  <a href=\"\/en\/#kontakt\" class=\"book\">Describe your case<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n(function () {\n  \/* filtr kategorii *\/\n  var btns = document.querySelectorAll('.filters button')\n  var cards = document.querySelectorAll('.kb-card')\n  btns.forEach(function (b) {\n    b.addEventListener('click', function () {\n      btns.forEach(function (x) { x.classList.remove('on') })\n      b.classList.add('on')\n      var f = b.dataset.f\n      cards.forEach(function (c) {\n        c.classList.toggle('hidden', f !== 'all' && c.dataset.cat !== f)\n      })\n    })\n  })\n  \/* YouTube facade \u2014 iframe (youtube-nocookie) dopiero po klikni\u0119ciu (RODO) *\/\n  document.querySelectorAll('.yt').forEach(function (y) {\n    y.addEventListener('click', function () {\n      if (y.querySelector('iframe')) return\n      var id = y.dataset.yt\n      var ifr = document.createElement('iframe')\n      ifr.src = 'https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/' + id + '?autoplay=1'\n      ifr.allow = 'accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture'\n      ifr.allowFullscreen = true\n      ifr.title = y.getAttribute('aria-label') || 'Film BWLAW'\n      y.appendChild(ifr)\n    }, { once: false })\n  })\n})()\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Construction law Debt collection Corporate law Employment law Cars Knowledge base Team Contact a lawyer \u2192 \u2630 Home\/Knowledge base Knowledge base German law \u2014 explained clearly. Guides and videos on what really matters to clients: dismissal and severance, unpaid invoices, construction contracts, starting a company. Written the way we advise \u2014 concretely and without legalese. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-bwlaw-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"Knowledge base \u2014 German law explained | BWLAW","rank_math_description":"Guides and videos on German law: dismissal and severance, debt collection, VOB\/B, GmbH formation. Written by the lawyers of BWLAW.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"prawo niemieckie po polsku","rank_math_robots":[]},"class_list":["post-4417","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"bwlaw_import":{"lang":"en","template":"template-bwlaw-page.php"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4417"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4978,"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4417\/revisions\/4978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bwlaw.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}