Must my employer provide a written employment contract or statement?
How the answer differs across 5 jurisdictions
GermanyFull article No, German law does not require a written employment contract for validity—but your employer must provide key terms in writing within one month of starting work.
European UnionFull article Yes, under EU law, your employer must provide you with a written statement of employment terms within one month of starting work.
Yes, your employer must give you a written statement of your main terms and conditions of employment within two months of starting work.
South KoreaFull article Yes, it is a problem — South Korean law requires employers to provide a written employment contract before work begins, and failure to do so can result in fines up to ₩2 million.
JapanFull article Yes, employers in Japan must provide key employment conditions in writing to employees at the time of hiring.
Read Full Articles
GermanyDo I need a written employment contract?European UnionMy employer never gave me a written statement of my employment terms. Is this required?
UKMy employer hasn't given me a written statement of terms. Is this required?South KoreaMy employer didn't provide a written employment contract.JapanMust employment conditions be provided in writing?Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.