Fixed-term work

Equal employment conditions

You must offer your fixed‑term staff the same employment conditions as your permanent staff including pay, leave, notice periods and other rights and benefits linked to their employment. As an employer, you must notify your fixed-term staff when vacancies for permanent posts become available.

Successive fixed-term contracts

EU countries must implement at least one of the following measures in their national laws to prevent misuse of successive fixed‑term contracts:

  • objective reasons for the renewal of fixed‑term contracts
  • maximum total duration of successive fixed‑term contracts
  • maximum number of renewals of fixed‑term contracts

Health and safety

Before they start work, you must inform your employees of any possible risks involved in the job they will undertake, including any special qualifications, skills or medical surveillance needed.

Warning

In some EU countries, you cannot use fixed-term workers for certain jobs, especially if they require special medical surveillance.

EU legislation

Need support from assistance services?

Get in touch with specialised assistance services

Your EURES Adviser

Your EURES Adviser can inform you on working conditions as well as assist you in the recruitment procedures in your country or your cross-border region.

Do you have questions on operating a business cross-border, for example exporting or expanding to another EU country? If so, the Enterprise Europe Network can give you free advice.

You can also use the assistance service finder to find the right help for you.

Last checked: 21/11/2023
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