More Transparency for International Employees – Where to Find Reliable Information About Employment Contracts

New Information Obligation for Employers Starting 1 January 2026

From 1 January 2026, a new legal obligation will apply to employers in Germany who hire skilled professionals from third countries.

As soon as an employment contract is signed with a person from a non-EU country, employers must inform the new employee in writing about the counselling services provided by “Faire Integration.”

This change sends a clear signal for greater transparency, stronger protection, and informed decision-making for people who are new to Germany and need to find their way in a complex legal and social environment.

What is “Faire Integration”?

Faire Integration is a nationwide, independent counselling service for migrants and international employees in Germany. Its aim is to provide information about rights, obligations, and available support in working and social life.

Counselling topics (selection)

Faire Integration provides advice on, among other things:

• Labour law
• Social security law
• Employment contracts
• Wages, working hours, and termination of employment
• Discrimination and exploitation in the workplace

Key features of the counselling service

• Free of charge
• Anonymous
• Multilingual (depending on the services available in each federal state)
• Available nationwide: counselling centres in all 16 federal states

👉 Faire Integration also provides a checklist for employers.

Why has this new obligation been introduced?

Regardless of whether third-country nationals are employed subject to social security contributions or not, they must in future be informed about the counselling services offered by Faire Integration.

This information obligation is part of a new mandate that comes into force on 1 January 2026 and aims to strengthen the rights of international workers.

When and how must employers provide this information?

Timing

The information must be provided in writing:

• from the moment the employment contract is signed
• at the latest by the first working day with the new employer in Germany

Form of information

The information can be provided by:

• using the official information materials from Faire Integration, which can be requested via CWC Recruitment, or
• the employer’s own written document containing all required information

Additionally, it is recommended to include:

• a reference by email, or
• a corresponding note in the employment contract

📩 The official Faire Integration materials can be requested by email at service@cwc-recruitment.com. You will receive information materials for candidates as well as an information sheet for employers.

Important to know

At present, failure to comply with this information obligation is not subject to fines.
Nevertheless, it is a central element of fair, transparent, and responsible recruitment of international skilled professionals.

As a recruitment agency certified with the Gütezeichen Quality Seal, CWC Recruitment places the highest value on compliance with ethical, transparent, and fair processes.

For us, it is essential that candidates clearly and understandably know what tasks, rights, and conditions await them in their new role. At the same time, German employers have a responsibility to design these processes transparently and to continuously support international employees in order to enable sustainable integration.

For this reason, CWC Recruitment welcomes and supports the new Faire Integration regulation, as it aligns with the values of the Quality Seal Gütezeichen RAL and contributes to greater clarity, security, and fairness in the recruitment process.

👉 More information about the Quality Seal (Gütezeichen RAL) values that align with the Faire Integration update can be found on the Quality Seal website or in our video.

Where can you find Faire Integration counselling centres?

Counselling centres by federal state

https://www.faire-integration.de/de/topic/11.beratungsstellen.html

General contact

(if it is not yet clear in which federal state the work will take place)
https://www.faire-integration.de/de/topic/9.kontakt.html

Forms related to the information obligation

Legal basis

Information obligation when recruiting third-country nationals from abroad in accordance with Section 45c of the German Residence Act (AufenthG)

Requesting forms

The relevant forms can be requested directly from CWC Recruitment:

📧 Contact us at service@cwc-recruitment.com with the subject line:
“Form for the Faire Integration Information Obligation”