New Rules: This Applies to Freelance Contractors Starting 2026

The federal government has - as announced at the end of July - initiated new rules for freelance contractors.

Government finalized new rules for freelance contractors

From 2026, they will also be able to enter into collective agreements, and new termination rules will be introduced. The corresponding draft law was approved today, Wednesday, in the Council of Ministers. This aims to make freelance contracts and the circumvention of labor law provisions less attractive.

Until now, there was no legal basis for including freelance contractors in collective agreements. With the planned amendment to the law, employer representatives and unions will have the opportunity to conclude collective agreements for freelance contractors as well.

Debate on freelance contractors in delivery services

"The repeatedly publicly known cases have highlighted the urgent need for action and underscored the necessity of minimum standards in working conditions, remuneration, and rights," explained the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs at the end of July. The announcement by the food delivery service Lieferando in the spring to dismiss its employed staff and switch to freelance contracts by the summer caused a stir regarding the working conditions of freelance contractors.

Under the new framework, a notice period of four weeks will apply to freelance contractors from 2026, increasing to six weeks from the second year of service. In the first month of employment, a probationary period can be agreed upon, during which the employment relationship can be terminated by either party at any time. The rules will apply to service contracts newly concluded from January 1, 2026. The new rules will not affect existing service contracts with existing contractual termination rules.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.