On 16 April 2016, Dynamo Dresden won promotion from the 2015–16 3.
FC Nürnberg lost its playoff 2–1 on aggregate and remained in the league.
Würzburg returned to the second level after 38 years via their second consecutive promotion; Duisburg returned immediately to the third level.
VfL Wolfsburg won 2–0 on aggregate and both clubs therefore remained in their respective tiers for the 2017–18 season.
Jahn Regensburg won 3–1 on aggregate and were promoted to the 2.