Minimum wage

Arbeitab 5 J.

The legally set lowest hourly wage in Germany: €12.82 (2026). Applies to almost all employees aged 18 and over. Exceptions: apprentices, the long-term unemployed (first 6 months).

The statutory minimum wage is the absolute minimum that employers in Germany must pay per hour (Minimum Wage Act, MiLoG).

Current:

• 2025: €12.82/hour
• 2026: €13.90/hour (+8.4%!)
• 2027: €14.60/hour
• Target: 60% of the median wage (EU directive)

Full-time (40h/week):

• 2025: approx. €2,224 gross/month
• 2026: approx. €2,412 gross/month
• Net (tax class I): approx. €1,620 (2025)

Who does it apply to?

• All employees over 18
• Also: mini-jobbers, part-time workers, interns (over 3 months)
• Exceptions: mandatory internships, long-term unemployed (first 6 months), trainees (own minimum training allowance)

Sector minimum wages (higher than the statutory one):

• Care: €15.50–18.25
• Roofers: €14.80
• Building cleaning: €14.25
• Electrical trade: €13.95

Effect on mini-jobs:

• Mini-job limit 2026: €603/month ÷ €13.90 = max. 43 hours/month
• Since 2022 the limit has risen automatically with the minimum wage (minimum wage × 130 ÷ 3)

Did you know? Germany only introduced the minimum wage in 2015 – later than most EU countries. France has had a minimum wage since 1950.

→ Gehaltsrechner

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