Germany's Minimum Wage in 2026: What It Means for Your Monthly Pay and Mini-Jobs

Germany has had a general statutory minimum wage since 2015, when it was set at 8.50 euros gross per hour. The rate has been increased several times since then. As of 2026, it stands at 13.90 euros gross per hour. A further rise to 14.60 euros gross per hour is scheduled for 2027, according to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The rate is a gross hourly figure. Employer contributions to social insurance - including health and pension insurance - are paid on top and are not counted when calculating whether the minimum wage has been met.

The level is set by an independent Minimum Wage Commission made up of employer and employee representatives, based on the development of collectively agreed wages in Germany. The Federal Government can make the commission's proposals binding by statutory instrument but cannot set a different rate on its own.

Who Is Entitled - and Who Is Not?

The minimum wage applies to all workers over 18 years of age, including foreign workers employed in Germany regardless of where their employer is registered. Seasonal workers are also covered.

The following groups are not covered:

• Trainees under the Vocational Training Act
• Volunteers and persons providing voluntary service
• Participants in employment promotion programmes
• Home workers under the Home Work Act
• Self-employed persons
• Workers under 18 without a completed vocational qualification
• Long-term unemployed persons during the first six months back in the labour market

Mini-Jobs and Seasonal Work

The minimum wage applies to mini-jobs - known legally as marginal employment - in exactly the same way as it does to regular employment. Working part-time or for short hours does not exempt a worker from the rate.

One practical result: employers must record the start, end and duration of daily working hours for mini-job workers and keep those records for two years. This allows customs officials to verify compliance during inspections. The recording duty does not apply to mini-jobs in private households or where the worker is a close family member of the employer.

Seasonal employment follows the same rules. If employment is limited from the outset to no more than 70 working days per calendar year, no social insurance contributions are due - but the minimum wage still applies.

Internships: When Does the Minimum Wage Apply?

Interns are generally entitled to the minimum wage. The main exceptions are compulsory internships required by school, vocational or university regulations.

Voluntary internships are more nuanced. If an internship serves career orientation before starting vocational training or university studies, or takes place during studies, and lasts no longer than three months, the minimum wage does not apply. The same applies to internships linked to introductory training programmes under the German Social Code.

If a voluntary internship of this type extends beyond three months - even if the original agreement was for a shorter period - the minimum wage applies from the first day, not just from the point of extension.

Writing a thesis at a company is not automatically classed as an internship. If a student only works on their thesis and performs no other tasks for the company, no employment relationship is formed and the minimum wage does not apply. Where additional company work is involved, it depends on the specific circumstances.

Enforcement and What to Do If You Are Not Paid

The Federal Customs Administration unit responsible for illegal employment (Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit) monitors compliance. Minimum wage checks are included in all inspections.

The penalties are substantial. Failing to pay the minimum wage can bring a fine of up to 500,000 euros. Not producing required working time records during an inspection can result in a fine of up to 30,000 euros. Companies found in violation can also be excluded from public procurement.

Workers who believe they are not receiving the minimum wage can call the official Minimum Wage Hotline at +49 30 60 28 00 28. The line is available Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Claims can also be brought directly to a labour court without a lawyer, or handled through a trade union for members.