Germany Layoffs 2026: Which Major Companies Are Cutting Jobs?

Volkswagen Group announced a further 50,000 job cuts worldwide on 3 September 2026. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Schaeffler, Evonik and Vodafone have also announced job cuts, and most programs rely on voluntary exits rather than dismissals.

German layoffs in 2026 span carmakers, suppliers, chemicals and telecoms. Hiring plans are weak too.

• The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) found in autumn 2026 that 24% of about 23,500 surveyed companies plan to cut staff and 11% plan to hire.
• Xinhua reports that an IW (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft) survey found 32% of companies expect to cut staff in 2027.

Major German Layoffs by Company

Volkswagen Group

An additional 50,000 positions cut worldwide, on top of job cuts already underway, announced 3 September 2026.

Volkswagen says the cut comes beyond its existing programs. The release gives no figure for Germany. Reuters and trade media put the combined total, including reductions already underway, near 100,000. Volkswagen was among the largest employers in Germany in 2024.

Audi

Up to 7,500 jobs cut in Germany by the end of 2029, announced 17 March 2025.

Audi is a carmaker owned by Volkswagen Group. The cuts fall in indirect areas such as administration and development. A job guarantee that rules out dismissals for business reasons (betriebsbedingte Kündigungen) now runs to the end of 2033.

Porsche

5,000 further jobs cut by 2035, announced 27 July 2026.

Porsche is a sports car maker owned by Volkswagen Group. It has ruled out compulsory redundancies until the end of 2035, which means the company will not force employees out to reach the target.

Porsche plans to use natural attrition (employees leaving or retiring without being replaced), partial retirement, and voluntary severance instead. Reuters counts about 9,000 positions cut in total, including earlier rounds.

BMW

Around 8,000 jobs cut worldwide by the end of 2027, announced 29 July 2026.

The reductions start in October 2026 through a voluntary severance program and natural attrition. About 40,000 employees in Germany are expected to receive individual severance offers, according to reports.

Mercedes-Benz

Voluntary severance program restarting in Germany in December 2026.

Mercedes-Benz announced the restart in late October 2026 and gave no target number for job cuts. Employees weighing a severance offer can read our guide to employee rights in Germany.

Schaeffler

A net 3,460 positions cut in Europe, including about 2,660 in Germany, announced 3 November 2026.

Schaeffler is a German automotive and industrial supplier that makes parts for carmakers and machinery. The company plans to close five sites, four of them in Germany. It also plans a temporary voluntary pay cut to limit the job cuts.

Evonik

3,200 jobs cut worldwide by the end of 2029, including 2,150 in Germany, announced 18 June 2026.

Evonik is a specialty chemicals company based in Essen. It plans to use unfilled vacancies, early retirement and voluntary departures with severance.

Vodafone Germany

About 2,300 positions cut or relocated over the next two years, announced 9 November 2026.

Vodafone Germany is the German arm of the telecom group Vodafone and provides mobile and internet services. The layoff plan covers almost one in five of its roughly 12,000 employees in Germany. Reports do not yet give the split between cuts and relocations.

NOTE: All figures below are company targets, not completed dismissals.