Reader question: How long can I stay in Germany on a work permit if I lose my job?

There's been a lot of news about layoffs in Germany recently as the country's, shall we say struggling, economy seems have caught up with quite a few of the larger firms that have traditionally been among the biggest employers.

Just this week both Audi and Siemens announced looming job cuts that will affect thousands of workers in Germany. Earlier this month, Thyssenkrupp announced job cuts in its automotive unit, and Adidas said it planned to cut 500 jobs as well.

While losing employment is never a good feeling, workers in Germany can at least rest assured that they won't suddenly find themselves out on the street as unemployment benefits usually afford laid off workers relative comfort while they get back on their feet.

But for foreign residents living in Germany on a residence permit based on their employment, losing a job comes with the added stress of potentially losing your right to stay in Germany.

So if you've found yourself in that situation, here's what you need to know:

What to do first

Among the first things you'll need to do is to inform your local Foreigners' Office, or Ausländerbehörde, to let them know your employment status has changed. 

According to the German Residence Act, you need to do this within two weeks of hearing that your working contract will end. You don't need to share too many details immediately – just your name, nationality and date of birth and the date of termination.

You can send this as a physical letter or by email to your local Ausländerbehörde, along with the official termination letter from your employer. 

How long can you stay on your current work permit?

Your residence permit doesn't automatically expire the moment you've lost your job. Instead the immigration office, having been informed of your termination, will set a certain amount of time in which you can remain in the country and seek employment.

As with other visa durations, the immigration authority has some discretion as to how long you are allowed to stay on your current permit. Three months is the minimum allowable period, and at the other end of the range, some people may be granted up to a year. A transition period of around six months is more common.

This period begins from the day your employment officially ends.

If your goal is to find a new job and renew your work permit, you'll want to start looking for work as soon as possible. Keep in mind that the interview process at German companies can drag on for weeks or even months.

Career coach Chris Pyak previously told the The Local, "It is very common that you need two months to get a contract after a company has already decided that they'll hire you."

READ ALSO: What happens to your work permit if you lose your job in Germany?

How can I stay in Germany if I don't immediately find a job?

Finding a job isn't always a quick or easy process, and it's exceptionally tough when more German companies seem to be firing than hiring.

If it looks like your current work permit is going to expire before you've landed a job offer, and you're committed to staying in Germany, it may be time to consider other residence permits that you could switch to.

The easiest option for most job-seekers could be the new opportunity card residence permit (Chancenkarte).

This will allow you to stay in Germany for one year, and also allows you to work up to 20 hours per week, or full-time for up to two weeks. (The idea being employers can give you a shot and then hire you.)

Other options could be to switch to a study visa (if you're interested in pursuing a degree programme, for instance), or switching to a family reunification visa (if your reason for staying in Germany is primarily to stay with your spouse or a close family member).

There's also the language-learning visa if you'd like to stay while improving your German skills.

Note that both student visas and language-learning visas limit the amount you are allowed to work – up to 20 hours per week. 

EXPLAINED: What you should know if you want to quit your job in Germany