Avoid financial disadvantages: Register as a job seeker well in advance

The BA offers support to employees who have been made redundant in finding new careers in order to prevent them from becoming unemployed. The sooner those affected contact their employment agency, the more successful this will be. Those who register as job seekers in a timely manner also avoid financial disadvantages.

02 Sep 2025 | Press release no.36

When a work or external training relationship ends, it is important to register as a job seeker quickly. To avoid suspension periods, the notification must be submitted to the employment agency at least three months before the end of employment or, in the case of short-term termination, within three days of becoming known. The registration can be done online, by phone, or in person.

Otherwise, entitlement to financial benefits is halted for the duration of the suspension period. If you fail to register as a job seeker or register late, the Employment Agency will impose a one-week suspension period.
In 2024, the Federal Employment Agency imposed around 813,500 suspension periods under unemployment insurance law. Of all suspension periods, 41.3 percent, or approximately 335,800 suspension periods, were due to late registration as job seekers, as a result of which those affected lost part of their entitlement to unemployment benefits. Compared to 2023, the number of suspension periods due to late jobseeker registrations increased by 6.1 per cent, or around 19,200 suspension periods.

All information on this topic can be found online on our website Registering as unemployed and applying for unemployment benefit (available in German).