Minimum wage and mini-jobs in Germany in 2026

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

The minimum wage applies to almost every employee in Germany, whatever the nationality, the contract or the hours. The mini-job limit is tied to it, so both numbers rise together.

Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official source named at the end before you act, and ask the office in your city, because procedures differ from town to town.

Step by step

1. Check your hourly pay

   Divide your gross monthly pay by the hours you actually work. The result must be at least 13.90 euros. Unpaid extra hours count. If they push you below the minimum, the employer owes you the difference.

   Done

2. Know who is not covered

   The main exceptions are apprentices, compulsory internships during school or study, voluntary internships of up to three months, young people under 18 without completed training, and the long-term unemployed in the first six months of a new job.

   Done

3. Understand the mini-job limit

   A mini-job may pay up to 603 euros a month on average over the year, 7,236 euros in total. With the minimum wage of 13.90 euros that is roughly 43 hours a month. Ten hours a week fits.

   Done

4. Know what a mini-job gives you

   You have the same rights as other employees: paid holiday, sick pay and notice periods. You are not insured for health through a mini-job, so you need health insurance from another source. Pension contributions are deducted unless you opt out in writing.

   Done

5. Above 603 euros: the midi-job

   Between 603.01 and 2,000 euros a month, a job is a midi-job. You are fully insured, but your share of the social contributions is reduced at the lower end and rises with the pay.

   Done

6. Get your contract in writing

   The employer must give you the main terms of the job in writing: pay, hours, holiday and notice period. A payslip is due for every month.

   Done

Good to know

If you are paid less than the minimum wage, the customs authority's unit for undeclared work (Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit) is responsible. The federal minimum wage hotline gives advice by phone.

Several industries have their own higher minimum wages through collective agreements, for example care work, cleaning and electrical trades.

Two mini-jobs are added together. If the total goes over 603 euros a month, neither is a mini-job any more.

Students have extra rules on top: how much can international students work in Germany?

In short: 13.90 euros an hour in 2026. Mini-job up to 603 euros a month, about 43 hours at minimum wage, with full employee rights but no health insurance.