Employment Law · European Union
Claim the Severance Pay You Are Entitled To
When your employment ends, severance is often negotiable — and employers frequently offer less than the law or your contract requires. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who calculates and negotiates severance in your European country every day.
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Who this is for
A redundancy, a mutual termination, or a forced exit — the amount you walk away with is rarely fixed
Severance pay is the compensation you may be entitled to when your employment ends, whether through redundancy, mutual agreement, or a dismissal. In many European countries it is calculated according to formulas based on your salary and length of service, but the amount is frequently a starting point for negotiation rather than a fixed sum — especially in senior roles or where an employer wants a quick, quiet departure. Employers often present a low initial offer or a release agreement and hope you will sign without checking whether you are entitled to more. We match you, free of charge, with an employment lawyer who understands severance rules and negotiation in your country, calculates what a fair figure looks like for your situation, and negotiates on your behalf before you sign anything.
Why employees leave money on the table
You are handed a figure and a form to sign.
Neither is necessarily in your favour.
Severance offers are often framed as final and urgent, when in reality they are usually a first offer that can be improved with the right advice.
A low first offer
Employers typically open with the minimum they hope you will accept, calculated to sound reasonable. Without knowing the legal formula or market standard for your country and seniority, you cannot tell if the figure is fair.
Pressure to sign quickly
Severance agreements often come with a tight deadline and language suggesting the offer is non-negotiable. Rushing you to sign is usually a tactic, not a legal requirement — and it can cost you a far better outcome.
Rights signed away
The release clauses in a severance agreement can waive claims you did not even know you had — outstanding bonuses, untaken holiday, or a dismissal claim. Signing without review can close the door on all of them.
What you get
A severance lawyer who maximises what you walk away with
We only match you with employment lawyers who negotiate severance packages regularly in your country.
Entitlement calculation
Your lawyer works out the minimum you are legally or contractually owed — statutory severance, notice, holiday and any bonus — so you have a firm floor before you negotiate.
Negotiation on your behalf
Rather than accept the first figure, your lawyer negotiates a higher package and better terms, drawing on local norms and your specific circumstances and seniority.
Agreement review
Before you sign, your lawyer reviews every clause — release wording, tax treatment, references and restrictive covenants — and flags anything that works against you.
Time and leverage
Your lawyer handles the back-and-forth and knows when to push, giving you the confidence and leverage to secure the best realistic outcome without damaging the relationship.
Coverage
Severance pay lawyers across Europe
Severance entitlements and negotiation norms are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works with your country’s rules on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Severance pay — common questions
Am I always entitled to severance pay when my job ends?
Not always. Entitlement typically depends on why your employment ended — redundancy and mutual termination commonly trigger it, while resignation usually does not — and on your country’s rules and your contract. A lawyer can confirm what applies to your specific situation.
How is severance pay calculated in Europe?
It varies by country, but is often based on your salary and length of service, sometimes with statutory minimums and sometimes with higher amounts set by contract or collective agreement. A local lawyer can calculate a realistic figure for your case.
Can I negotiate a higher severance package?
Yes, in most cases. Unless a statutory formula is strictly fixed, the initial offer is usually negotiable — especially in senior or long-service roles. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and often secures more than the first offer.
Should I sign a severance agreement right away?
Generally not before having it reviewed. Severance agreements often contain release clauses that waive other claims and deadlines that create artificial urgency. A lawyer can review the terms and advise whether to sign, negotiate, or reject.
What should a fair severance package include?
Typically it should include any statutory or contractual severance, payment for notice, accrued untaken holiday, and any earned bonuses or commissions. A lawyer can itemise what you should expect and check the agreement against that list.
Does severance pay affect my taxes or unemployment benefits?
It can, depending on your country’s rules and how the payment is structured. Tax treatment and any interaction with unemployment benefits vary, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer how a proposed package will actually affect you.
Free case review
Don’t accept the first number you are handed
Tell us about your situation and we will connect you with an employment lawyer who calculates and negotiates severance in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.