Net income

Net income (Nettoeinkommen) is the amount that lands in your account after all taxes and social security contributions have been deducted – the money you actually have available.

What's deducted from gross pay in Germany?

• Wage tax: 0–45% (depending on income and tax class)
• Solidarity surcharge: 5.5% of wage tax (now only for high earners)
• Church tax: 8–9% of wage tax (if you're a member)
• Pension insurance: 9.3%
• Health insurance: ~8.15%
• Long-term care insurance: 1.7–2.3%
• Unemployment insurance: 1.3%

Median net income in Germany 2025:

• Overall: approx. €2,200/month (full-time)
• West: approx. €2,400
• East: approx. €2,050 (85% of the western level)

Rule of thumb: for an average earner, approx. 60–65% of gross pay remains as net. The higher the salary, the lower the share – at €8,000 gross, it's only ~55%.