Short answer: The federal government’s draft bill (Drucksache 21/8281) provides for minimum terms for first contracts in doctoral work: three years in the qualification phase before the doctorate and two years afterwards. The draft is not yet law. The Bundestag notice dated 5 October 2026 announced the first reading (last updated: November 2026).
Anyone pursuing a doctorate in Germany often works on fixed-term contracts, and the length of the contract decides how plannable the doctorate is. The federal government intends to reform the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (in German: Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG), introducing minimum terms. This guide explains what the draft provides, where the procedure stands and what it means for existing contracts.
The most important points
- Under the draft, first contracts would have a minimum term of three years in the qualification phase before the doctorate.
- After the doctorate, the draft provides for a minimum term of two years for first contracts.
- A fixed term for qualification purposes should only be permitted where the post covers at least one quarter of regular working hours.
- The maximum fixed-term period for student research assistants (in German: studentische Hilfskräfte) is to rise from six to eight years.
- The draft is still in the legislative process. Until a decision is taken, the existing law applies.
What a minimum contract term is
A minimum contract term sets out how long a fixed-term contract must run at least. It differs from the maximum fixed-term period, which limits the total permissible duration. Both rules work together: the minimum term protects against very short contracts, while the maximum limits the total length of academic employment.
For doctoral candidates the first contract matters most, because it shapes the start of the doctorate. Short initial contracts create uncertainty when the doctorate itself takes several years. A minimum term is meant to reduce that uncertainty.
What the draft provides
According to the Bundestag notice of 5 October 2026, the draft sets out the following rules for first contracts. The information refers to the draft in the version of Drucksache 21/8281 and may change during the legislative process.
| Area | Planned rule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification phase before the doctorate | Minimum term of three years for first contracts | Draft bill |
| Phase after the doctorate | Minimum term of two years for first contracts | Draft bill |
| Fixed term for qualification | Only where the post covers at least one quarter of regular working hours | Draft bill |
| Student research assistants | Maximum fixed-term period raised from six to eight years | Draft bill |
The table only summarises the points the notice names explicitly. It does not mention a general maximum period for other employees. The exact wording in the law will only be clear once the text is adopted.
Where the procedure stands
Drucksache 21/8281 is a government bill. The notice also mentions an opinion of the Bundesrat and a counter-statement by the federal government. The notice does not refer to an earlier version, a draft from the ministry or a decision.
- The federal government has submitted the draft bill.
- The Bundesrat has issued its opinion, and the federal government has responded.
- The first reading in the Bundestag was scheduled for the Thursday of the following week.
- Committee deliberations and a final decision are still pending.
Whether the first reading took place as announced, and which amendments followed, must be checked against the current state of the Bundestag. Until then, the draft should not be treated as an adopted law.
What this means for doctoral contracts
A contract concluded under the current law is governed by the WissZeitVG in force and by the employment contract. The draft would only apply to future contracts once it enters into force. For ongoing employment, the question must therefore be checked separately.
Assumption: a first contract in the qualification phase runs for 18 months. Under the draft, a first contract would have to run for a minimum of three years, that is 36 months. The contract would then need to be longer. Whether and how this is implemented in practice depends on the law that is finally adopted.
For planning, this means that anyone signing a contract today should measure its length against the rule in force, not against a draft. It is still worth looking at the rules that could apply after entry into force, for example at the transition to a postdoc phase.
Why the qualification phase matters in the law
The WissZeitVG ties fixed terms in academia to a purpose. For a fixed term for qualification, further academic training is in the foreground, for example work on a dissertation. That is why the distinction matters: a post that mainly serves to carry out tasks follows different rules from a post with a qualification goal.
The draft focuses on the scope. A fixed term for qualification should only remain permissible if the post covers at least one quarter of regular working hours. If you take on a smaller post, check carefully how the contract describes the qualification.
What the draft does not regulate
The notice names no general maximum period for other employees. Whether and how the fixed term after the doctorate changes is therefore open. More on fixed terms after the doctorate can be found in the guide on the postdoc fixed terms and the WissZeitVG reform (in German).
The notice also says nothing about how the draft treats posts funded by third parties. Anyone with such a post should check the wording of the bill once it is available.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minimum term already apply?
No. According to the Bundestag notice, the draft is not yet law. Contracts are governed by the current WissZeitVG and the employment contract.
Does my existing contract have to be extended?
The draft does not provide for an automatic extension of existing contracts. Whether transitional rules apply will only become clear from the adopted text. If you are unsure, ask the HR department.
What happens if my contract is shorter than the draft provides?
As long as the draft is not adopted, the contract is governed by the current law. Ask for the legal basis of the fixed term in writing, so that you can check it later.
Where can I find the wording of the draft?
The wording is in Drucksache 21/8281 of the German Bundestag. The Bundestag notice refers to it and summarises the key points.
Does this also apply to student research assistants?
The notice names a change to the maximum fixed-term period for student research assistants, from six to eight years. The group is not separately listed for the minimum term. How the rules work for assistant posts in everyday practice is shown in the guide on research assistant posts and their contracts (in German).
What to do now
- Check on which legal basis your current contract rests.
- Follow the progress of the bill in the Bundestag until a decision is taken.
- Keep your contract dates and deadlines in a clear overview.
- Clarify in writing which rule applies whenever a contract is extended.
Related guides
- Tenure track after the doctorate: how the route to a permanent post works
- WissZeitVG amendment: what the draft bill plans for student assistants
- Postdoc fixed terms: what the WissZeitVG reform plans after the doctorate (in German)
- What is the WissZeitVG? Fixed terms in academia explained (in German)
- Academic careers: contracts, collective pay and fixed terms overview
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
