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Need to quit job, but when?
It's been almost six months since I started a new job as a a UX designer for a startup that is not doing well. The company has no strategy, no mission, no nothing and everyone just dogpiles… Hey all,
It's been almost six months since I started a new job as a a UX designer for a startup that is not doing well. The company has no strategy, no mission, no nothing and everyone just dogpiles onto me even though I wasn't even onboarded. I still don't know what's going on or who to call for what. And I've been continuously at odds with management for how my role has been switching up every 10 seconds. Real startup behaviour. I don't need to stick around for years to know this isn't the place for me. So I'm quitting.
I'm from another EU country so my residency status won't be affected.
But I've mostly been a freelancer so I'm wondering how to navigate this. If I quit now, I only need to give 2 weeks notice. But if I quit next month, I need to give 4 weeks and I get the rest of my vacation days paid out?
(I did take a 2-week holiday in July, and they paid me my regular salary during that time, do I have to pay that back??)
I'm honestly thinking about just quitting now because I'm over everything.
Can anyone offer advice on how to do this, and which documents I should ask for? Please no handwringing about protecting the company, because they have made it clear just how much they don't care about me.
You're right to get out. One thing nobody's mentioned yet is the Arbeitsgericht. If they try to withhold your Zeugnis or anything else, that's the labor court route, but honestly for a startup that's flailing they'll probably be happy to just have you gone quietly.
On the timing, I'd quit now. The difference between two weeks and four weeks of notice isn't worth a vacation payout for a place that's already burning you out. Plus if you wait, you're giving them another month to pile more work on you. Kreuzberg and Neukölln have plenty of co-working spaces if you want to ease back into freelancing while you look for something proper.
Make sure you get the Zeugnis in writing before your last day. Once you're out the door, chasing them for it becomes a hassle even if you're legally entitled to it.
The holiday pay question is straightforward. Since you're quitting in the second half of the year, you've already earned that July vacation time. No clawback.
For the timing, check exactly when your Probezeit ends. If it's six months from your start date and you're at five and a half, you could technically still give two weeks' notice right now. The startup chaos you're describing won't get better, and there are UX roles at places like Zalando, HelloFresh, or even smaller agencies around Torstraße that are hiring. I'd get out now rather than drag it out another month for a vacation payout that probably isn't worth the misery.
Two weeks notice is the standard during Probezeit, which is usually the first six months. If you're past that point, the four weeks applies. Check your contract for the exact Probezeit end date, it might be exactly six months.
For the holiday pay, you don't have to pay it back if you quit now. German law says you're entitled to the full annual vacation if you leave in the second half of the year, which you are. Your July holiday is already earned.
Documents you need: a written termination letter signed by you, keep a copy. Ask for an Arbeitszeugnis, which is your reference letter. By law it has to be "wohlwollend" or benevolent, but check the wording before you leave. Also get a copy of your contract and any signed amendments.
If you quit now, you can walk out in two weeks. If you wait, you get the vacation payout but have to work four more weeks. Given how you describe it, I'd take the early exit. Berlin has plenty of UX roles, especially for people who know what they're doing.
Berlin on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates.… 🏨 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates. Consider visiting in the shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) when prices drop by up to 30%.
🚇 Cheap Transport Options
A single public transport ticket costs 3.50 EUR for zones AB, covering most attractions. For longer stays, buy a 7-day ticket for 41 EUR or a Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel and museum discounts. Locals often bike everywhere using the city's extensive bike lanes or rent a bike via Nextbike for 1 EUR per 30 minutes.
🍽️ Eating on a Budget
Grab a currywurst from a street stall for around 3.50 EUR or a döner kebab for 5-6 EUR. For groceries, head to Aldi or Lidl where a loaf of bread costs 1.50 EUR. Many bakeries sell pre-made sandwiches for under 4 EUR, perfect for a picnic in Tiergarten.
🎫 Free Attractions
Visit the Reichstag dome for free (book online in advance) and explore the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 km open-air gallery on the Berlin Wall. On Sundays, many museums offer reduced entry or free admission, such as the Museum für Naturkunde (first Sunday of the month free).
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid tourist traps by eating at Späti (corner shops) for cheap drinks and snacks. Use the Berlin Pass for free entry to over 50 attractions if you plan to visit many sites, but calculate costs first as it starts at 59 EUR for 48 hours. Always carry cash, as some smaller shops and cafes don't accept cards.
🏛️ Discount Museum Days
Most state museums are free on the first Sunday of each month, including the Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum. On Thursday evenings, the Jewish Museum offers free entry from 6 PM to 8 PM. Check individual museum websites for updated schedules.
🌳 Free Outdoor Activities
Spend a day at Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned public park with free bike rentals and BBQ areas. Rent a paddleboat on the Spree River for 10 EUR per hour or join a free walking tour (tip-based) that covers major landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.
yeah the guide's got the main stuff down, one thing i'd add is that the späti culture is legit for saving money but specifically the ones in kreuzberg near kottbusser tor have the cheapest beers, like 0.80 eur for a can of sterni. also if you're doing the sunday museum thing, skip the pergamon queue and go to the hamburger bahnhof instead, it's way less crowded and has cool contemporary art plus the building itself is a converted train station so it's a vibe
for food, i'd say the best budget move is not the döner but the falafel at yafa on sonnenallee, 4 eur for a massive plate and it's open till late. and tbh the reichstag booking is a pain but if you miss it, the rooftop at the kollhoff tower near potsdamer platz is like 4 eur and gives you a solid view without the hassle
solid write-up, one thing i'd add is that the 7-day ticket is actually 41 eur for AB but you can get a 4-trip ticket for 12 eur if you're only here a couple days and it works out cheaper than single trips. also the museum sunday freebie is great but it gets packed, like at the pergamon you'll be queuing for 30 mins minimum. for a quieter free option, try the brücke museum in grunewald on a weekday afternoon, it's small but has killer expressionist art and no crowds. oh and for a cheap meal, hit up mustafa's gemüse kebab at mehringdamm, that line is long but it's worth the 5 eur for the hype tbh
honestly the cash tip is huge, a lot of tourists don't realize how many places are still cash only here. something the guide missed is that you can get a really cheap coffee at most bakeries for like 1.50 eur if you stand at the counter instead of sitting down, way cheaper than the hipster cafes. also if you're near a späti grab a beer for like 1 eur, way cheaper than bars obviously