Minimum Wage & Minijob 2026
12.82 EUR hourly wage and 556 EUR minijob limit - what this means for you.
12.82 EUR
Minimum wage per hour
556 EUR
Minijob limit
~43h
Max. hours/month (minijob)
Development Over Recent Years
| Year | Minimum Wage | Minijob Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12.41 EUR | 538 EUR |
| 2025 | 12.82 EUR* | 556 EUR* |
| 2026 | 12.82 EUR | 556 EUR |
* Minimum wage for 2025/2026 was recommended by the Minimum Wage Commission
Important for Minijobbers 2026
No Taxes
Minijobbers don't pay income tax. The employer covers the 2% flat-rate tax.
Pension Insurance Optional
You can opt out of pension insurance. This saves about 3.6% of your wage.
Multiple Minijobs Allowed
You can have multiple minijobs - as long as the total doesn't exceed 556 EUR/month.
Allowed Alongside Main Job
One minijob alongside a main job is contribution-free. Full contributions only apply from the second side job.
The Transition Zone (Midijob)
Key Figures 2026
- Lower limit:556.01 EUR
- Upper limit:2,000 EUR
- Employee contribution at start:~0%
- Employee contribution at 2,000 EUR:~20%
Advantage of the Transition Zone
In the transition zone (556-2,000 EUR), social security contributions increase gradually. At 556 EUR you pay almost nothing, at 2,000 EUR the full rate.
Important: You still earn full pension entitlements, even though you pay less. The employer always pays the full contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Germany 2026?
The statutory minimum wage is 12.82 EUR gross per hour from January 1, 2026. For a 40-hour week, this equals approximately 2,220 EUR gross monthly salary.
What is the minijob limit in 2026?
The minijob limit is 556 EUR monthly in 2026. It is dynamically linked to the minimum wage (556 EUR = 10 hours x 4.33 weeks x 12.82 EUR).
How many hours can I work in a minijob?
At 12.82 EUR minimum wage, you can work a maximum of about 43 hours per month in a minijob (556 EUR / 12.82 EUR). Important: The average over the year counts.
What is the difference between minijob and midijob?
Minijob: up to 556 EUR/month, no tax, optional pension. Midijob: 556.01 EUR to 2,000 EUR/month, reduced social security (transition zone). Full contributions apply from 2,000 EUR.
Do I have to pay taxes as a minijobber?
No, usually not. The employer pays 2% flat-rate wage tax. Alternatively, taxation according to tax class is possible but usually less favorable.