Anyone in Germany whose job or apprenticeship is ending must register with the employment agency as a job seeker at least three months before the last day. This duty is set in Section 38 of Social Code III. A person who learns of the end later has three days to register. Registering late has a price. Unemployment benefit is suspended for one week, a Sperrzeit, unless the person had an important reason. The same one-week suspension applies to a person who does not come to an appointment at the agency after being told the consequences.
For basic income support, run by the Jobcenters, new rules have applied since 1 July 2026. Official Jobcenter information sheets describe three steps. A first missed appointment brings no reduction. A second missed appointment in a row reduces the standard benefit by 30 percent for one month. After a third, the standard benefit is stopped, although housing costs are paid for one more month. Before any decision, the Jobcenter checks whether there was an important reason, such as illness or an emergency.