Germany minimum wage 2027: €14.60 an hour, and what it means for Ausbildung
Talents in Germany editorial team
Germany’s general statutory minimum wage will be €14.60 gross per hour from 1 January 2027, under the fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance. The 2026 rate is €13.90.BMAS · fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance
Confirmed for 1 January 2027; the €14.60 rate is not yet in force at this article’s review date.
Does €14.60 mean take-home pay?
The official rate is gross hourly pay. It is not a guaranteed net hourly amount. For an offer paid by the hour, start your budget with the agreed hours and gross rate, then consider the deductions that apply to your employment arrangement.BMAS · fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance
Keep paid hours, overtime and any irregular shifts visible when comparing offers. A higher hourly rate does not tell you how many hours an employer will schedule.
Does the general minimum wage apply to an Azubi?
No: §22(3) of the Minimum Wage Act excludes pay for people employed for vocational training. An Ausbildung offer must be assessed under the rules governing that training arrangement, rather than assuming €14.60 an hour.Minimum Wage Act · §22 scope and exceptions
When a Chinese agency discusses an Ausbildung place with a German employer, request the monthly training allowance for each training year, the occupation, contract duration, working hours and any deductions. Put these details into the candidate briefing before anyone compares offers.
What about internships and student jobs?
Internships have specific exceptions in §22, including compulsory internships and certain short orientation or study-related placements. Do not infer coverage from the job title alone.Minimum Wage Act · §22 scope and exceptions
For a student role or internship, ask the employer which contract category applies. Check your permitted work conditions separately when planning how many hours to accept.
What to do now
- Ask an employer to state the gross rate and paid hours in writing.
- For Ausbildung, collect the monthly allowance by training year instead of applying the general hourly rate.
- Check the contract category and exceptions before using a minimum-wage figure in a budget.
Common questions
- What is Germany’s minimum wage in 2027?
- The general statutory minimum wage is set at €14.60 gross per hour from 1 January 2027. The 2026 rate is €13.90.BMAS · fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance
- Is the €14.60 rate a proposal?
- No. It is provided for in the fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance, with a future effective date of 1 January 2027.BMAS · fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance
- Will an Ausbildung employer have to pay an Azubi €14.60 an hour?
- The general minimum-wage rule does not govern vocational-training pay under §22(3) MiLoG. Check the rules and monthly allowance for the specific training contract.Minimum Wage Act · §22 scope and exceptions