Once the 18 month deployment limit has been reached, there are a number of options to continue the deployment of the staff via Employer of Record: (i) The preferred solution is that, in the meantime, an entity has been incorporated in Germany, e.g. GmbH, and can hire the employee directly under their entity (Horizons can assist with this set-up process); (ii) The employee signs a termination agreement ceasing their employment with Horizons and takes a mandatory “cool-off” period of 3 months plus 1 day before being re-hired by Horizons and re-deployed to the end-client. Please note that simply switching Employer of Record, e.g. Horizons to another EOR provider, is not a legal option. The deployment to the end-client can only have a maximum duration of 18 continuous months, regardless of who the Employer of Record is.