diff --git a/app/schemas/contact.py b/app/schemas/contact.py
index 7057bc5..ab2bd87 100644
--- a/app/schemas/contact.py
+++ b/app/schemas/contact.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from decimal import Decimal
 
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, model_validator
 
 # ── ContactPerson ──
 
@@ -71,6 +71,15 @@ class ContactPersonResponse(BaseModel):
 
 class ContactCreate(BaseModel):
     type: str = Field("company", pattern="^(company|person)$")
+
+    @model_validator(mode="after")
+    def _require_name_or_firstname(self):
+        """Ensure company has a name or person has a firstname."""
+        if self.type == "company" and not self.name:
+            raise ValueError("Company contacts require a 'name' field")
+        if self.type == "person" and not self.firstname:
+            raise ValueError("Person contacts require a 'firstname' field")
+        return self
     status: str | None = Field(None, pattern="^(lead|qualified|customer|inactive)$")
     name: str | None = Field(None, max_length=255)
     firstname: str | None = Field(None, max_length=100)