Here in Germany, non-compete clauses can only be enforced if the employer can prove a legitimate business interest in having them. They are limited to a maximum of two years and require the employer to compensate the (ex-)employee to the tune of at least half of their gross salary while still employed, for the duration of the non-compete. A non-compete clause is also not enforceable if it would mean undue hardship for the employee, like making it impossible to find another suitable job in their field at all.
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