When am I entitled to a salary increase?

There is no automatic legal entitlement — except under collective agreements and collective bargaining regulations (TVG Q040). Collective agreements often include regular salary adjustments. Without a collective agreement: there is no legal right to an annual increase. What you do have: the Nachweisgesetz (Verification Act) requires that essential employment conditions are documented in writing — salary increases should always be confirmed in writing. Factual basis for negotiation: inflation rate (Destatis Q026), salary market changes (BA Entgeltatlas Q027), increased responsibility, good performance review. WEF: in occupations with skills shortages, your negotiating position improves significantly. Recommendation: proactively bring up a salary review after the probationary period or annually.