Germany’s statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) rises from €13.90 to €14.60 gross per hour on January 1, 2027. The minijob earnings limit rises with it, from €603 to €633 a month.
Both changes are already law. You do not need to apply for the higher wage. Your employer has to pay it from January 2027.
- Minimum wage 2027: €14.60 gross per hour, up 70 cents (about 5%)
- Minijob limit 2027: €633 a month, or €7,596 a year
- Start date: January 1, 2027, for both changes
Where Does the €14.60 Minimum Wage Come From?
An independent minimum wage commission (Mindestlohnkommission) of employer and union representatives decides on increases every two years. On June 27, 2025, it unanimously agreed on two steps: €13.90 from January 2026 and €14.60 from January 2027.
The federal government made both steps binding in the Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (Fünfte Mindestlohnanpassungsverordnung) of November 5, 2025.
For a full-time job of 40 hours a week, €14.60 an hour comes to roughly €2,530 gross a month. See how that compares across the country in our article on Germany’s median wage by federal state, or across Europe in which EU country has the highest minimum wage.
Who Gets the Minimum Wage in Germany?
The minimum wage applies to all employees working in Germany, whatever their nationality. It also covers minijobbers, seasonal workers and people employed by a foreign employer, as long as they work in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Labour (BMAS) lists these exceptions:
- Employees under 18 without a completed vocational training
- People who were long-term unemployed right before the job, for their first six months
- Mandatory internships as part of school, training or university
- Voluntary internships during training or studies, and orientation internships of up to three months
NOTE: Your employer must pay the minimum wage by the last bank working day of the month after the month you worked. This applies to overtime hours too.
What Changes for Minijobs in 2027?
The minijob limit (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze) is linked to the minimum wage, so it rises automatically. The Federal Ministry of Labour has confirmed €633 a month from January 1, 2027.
The maximum number of hours stays almost the same. At €14.60 an hour, you can work about 43 hours a month before you pass €633.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage per hour | €13.90 | €14.60 |
| Minijob limit per month | €603 | €633 |
| Minijob limit per year | €7,236 | €7,596 |
| Max. hours per month at minimum wage | about 43 | about 43 |
WARNING: If you are a minijobber on minimum wage, check your contract. If your hours stay the same, the higher hourly wage can push you over €633. Ask your employer to adjust your hours if you want to stay in the minijob.
What Can You Do if Your Employer Pays Less?
An employer that pays less than €14.60 an hour from January 2027 breaks the law. You can claim the difference. Our guide on what to do when your employer refuses to pay your wages explains your options.
Wage disputes can end in court, and lawyer fees add up quickly. An employment legal insurance covers the cost of a labour law dispute, but only if you have it before the dispute starts.
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What Should You Do Now?
- Check your January 2027 payslip. Your hourly wage should be at least €14.60.
- If you have a minijob, check whether your hours still fit under €633 a month.
- Higher gross pay can change your net pay. Our guide on how to increase your monthly net income shows legal ways to pay less tax each month.
See every change in Germany for 2027 ->
