Check short-term employment in Germany: a 2026 planner for seasonal teams
Enter periods and weekdays, include previous short-term jobs and see who is within a time limit, close to a limit or needs professional review.
- 100% free
- No sign-up
- Your entries are never stored
Workers and periods
Internal labels are enough. Inputs are not stored.
Free after email confirmation
Seasonal-worker pack for Excel and print
The workbook combines a team overview, periods, an onboarding check and official sources. The PDF adds a compact checklist for payroll or tax-adviser handover.
- Excel with formulas and status fields
- Three-page A4 checklist
- Space for multiple workers
Two equivalent time routes
Three months or 70 working days: meeting either time limit may be enough
The planner evaluates calendar duration and planned working days separately. For one continuous job it checks three time months; for multiple periods it generally uses 90 credited calendar days.
All relevant short-term jobs in the calendar year must be included, including jobs with other employers. Overlapping periods and identical working dates are counted only once in this calculator.
The €603 threshold is not an earnings cap for short-term employment. Only regular monthly earnings above €603 trigger the separate professional-status assessment.
Built for seasonal planning
More than a one-person calculator
Multiple seasonal workers
Each person is assessed separately and shown with working days, calendar days and status in one season overview.
Multiple periods
Add previous and planned assignments, model interruptions and merge overlaps automatically.
Clear warnings
Near limits, missing prior jobs, professional status and unconfirmed agricultural rules stay visibly separate.
Local and data-conscious
Names, periods and personal status remain in your browser. Personal inputs are never put into a share link.
New since 1 January 2026
Agriculture: 15 weeks or 90 working days
Qualifying agricultural employing establishments use extended time limits in 2026. The official industry classification of the establishment matters, not just one worker's harvesting activity.
Mixed businesses and separate establishment numbers require a workforce-focus check. Without confirmation, the calculator therefore displays “check establishment status”.
From season check to roster
Plan seasonal staff together in day-to-day operations
This free calculator is a one-off orientation. Shiftdesk brings employees, availability, shifts, absences and working time into one planning workflow.
Bring availability together
Combine possible assignments and absences for operational planning.
Staff the shifts
Organise seasonal peaks visibly in weekly and monthly rosters.
Record working time
Manage planned and recorded time centrally instead of across separate lists.
Free 2026 seasonal-worker pack
Excel team overview plus a PDF checklist for periods, prior jobs, advance limitation and professional status under German rules.
Rather not do the math yourself anymore?
Shiftdesk connects the next step with employee records, availability, scheduling and time tracking.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about German short-term employment in 2026
What applies in 2026: three months or 70 working days?
How are multiple short-term jobs aggregated?
Is €603 the earnings limit for seasonal workers?
When is short-term work carried out professionally?
What applies to agriculture and harvest workers in 2026?
How is a night shift across midnight counted?
What happens when a contract crosses New Year?
Which records should the employer keep?
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