German minimum wage 2026: €13.90 – and €14.60 from 2027

The statutory minimum wage in Germany rose on 1 January 2026 from €12.82 to €13.90 gross per hour. The Minimum Wage Commission decided this in June 2025 and the government implemented it by ordinance. A second step follows on 1 January 2027 to €14.60.

Figures at a glance

The mini-job limit is linked to the minimum wage: it equals ten hours a week at minimum wage.

Does it apply to the self-employed?

No. The minimum wage applies to employees, not to self-employed people with their own trade. You negotiate your prices freely. But beware: anyone formally self-employed who actually works like an employee is legally an employee – and then entitled to the minimum wage. See false self-employment.

What it means for the self-employed

• As an employer: if you employ helpers or mini-jobbers, you must pay at least €13.90 since January 2026 and record mini-jobbers’ working hours.
• As a pricing benchmark: your hourly rate must be well above the minimum wage, because you pay your own health insurance, pension, holidays and downtime.
• Sector minimum wages: some sectors, such as care, have their own higher minimum wages for employees.

Other figures for 2026

Other thresholds changed at the turn of the year too, such as the basic tax allowance and the contribution ceilings in social insurance.