Germany’s minimum wage in 2027: €14.60 per hour

From 1 January 2027, Germany’s statutory minimum wage rises from €13.90 to €14.60 gross per hour. For employees earning the minimum wage, this means an additional 70 cents for every paid working hour. For people planning to work in Germany, the new hourly rate becomes an important starting point when assessing a job offer.

GlobalTalent24 Team explains what changes at the start of next year, how the increase translates into monthly earnings and why it is important to check other working conditions as well.

When does the minimum wage rise, and how large is the increase?

During 2026, the general statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour. From 1 January 2027, it increases to €14.60. This increase has already been established: the federal government implemented the Minimum Wage Commission’s recommendation through the relevant regulation.

The difference between the current and future hourly rates is approximately 5%. For employees who work the same number of hours and are paid the minimum hourly rate, this brings higher gross earnings. The monthly amount depends on the number of paid hours, so no single figure should be presented as a universal minimum monthly salary for all employees.

What does an extra 70 cents mean per month?

If an employee has 160 paid hours in a payroll month, their gross earnings at the current minimum hourly rate are €2,224. At €14.60 per hour, the same number of hours would bring €2,336 gross. That is an additional €112 gross in that month.

This example is a simple calculation for exactly 160 hours. The actual payroll calculation depends on the agreed working hours and the way earnings are calculated. When comparing job advertisements, it is therefore important to check whether the amount stated is an hourly rate or a monthly salary, and how many working hours it covers.

Gross earnings are not the same as the money an employee receives in their bank account. Net pay depends on taxes, contributions and personal circumstances, so a gross increase of €112 does not automatically mean the same amount of additional spending money.

Who is covered by Germany’s minimum wage?

Entitlement to the statutory minimum wage does not depend on an employee’s nationality. According to Germany’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, this protection also applies to foreign employees working in Germany. It covers full-time and part-time employment, as well as minijobs.

However, there are statutory exceptions. Special rules apply, among other things, to vocational training under the Ausbildung system and certain types of internships. It is therefore important to distinguish a standard employment relationship from an arrangement with a different legal basis.

The minimum wage increase also does not mean that every salary automatically rises by 5%. If an employee already earns more than €14.60 per hour, this increase alone does not guarantee an additional pay rise. Higher binding minimum hourly rates may also apply in certain industries, so the rules for the specific sector should be considered when reviewing an offer.

Minijobs: the monthly earnings limit rises to €633

The hourly wage increase is accompanied by a change in the earnings limit for minijobs. During 2026, it is €603 per month, rising from January 2027 to €633 per month on an annual average. This corresponds to a regular annual limit of €7,596.

This limit is linked to the statutory minimum wage. As a result, an employee earning the minimum hourly rate can earn more while working approximately the same number of hours. At an hourly rate of €14.60, the monthly limit of €633 corresponds to approximately 43.4 working hours.

If the agreed hourly rate is higher than the minimum, fewer hours can fit within the same limit. It is therefore useful for employees and employers to check expected earnings and the agreed schedule before the start of the year.

What should you check before accepting a job in Germany?

The new minimum hourly rate makes it easier to assess an offer, but deciding whether to accept a job requires looking at the entire contract. In addition to gross earnings, the number of working hours, the calculation of overtime pay, supplements and any accommodation or transport costs should be clarified.

For someone newly arriving in Germany, it is particularly useful to draw up a monthly budget covering rent, bills, food and commuting. This puts the offered salary into perspective: how much money remains after regular expenses, and whether the conditions fit the candidate’s plans.

If you are planning your next career step, you can register through the GlobalTalent24 Team link. Prepare details of your experience and skills, and compare each specific offer with the applicable rules and the cost of living in the place where you would work.