The short answer on minijob or student job
The choice between a minijob or student job depends on how you are paid. A minijob is defined by earnings, up to €603 per month in 2026. A student job (Werkstudent) is defined by hours, at most 20 per week during the lecture period. A midijob lies above the minijob limit and up to €2,000 per month. From 2027, the limits rise, and the values for both years are listed in the table.
| Limit | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Minijob limit 2026 | €603 per month | Official, accessed 20 October 2026 |
| Minijob limit 2027 | €633 per month | Official according to the Minijob-Zentrale |
| Midijob range 2026 | Over €603 up to €2,000 per month | § 20 para. 2 SGB IV |
| Minimum wage 2026 | €13.90 gross per hour | MiLoV5, accessed 20 October 2026 |
| Minimum wage 2027 | €14.60 gross per hour | MiLoV5, accessed 20 October 2026 |
Minijob or student job: what sets them apart?
The three forms differ in the limit they are based on, and therefore also in their contributions. The following overview shows the main differences.
| Feature | Minijob | Student job (Werkstudent) | Midijob |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis | Earnings up to €603 | Hours up to 20 per week | Earnings over €603 up to €2,000 |
| Employee social security contributions | No contributions to health and unemployment insurance, pension insurance can be opted into | Exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance, pension insurance compulsory | All branches, graduated contribution |
| Payroll | Flat-rate contributions paid by the employer | Standard payroll with pension contribution | Standard payroll with transitional calculation |
| Effect on family insurance | Special rule, see below | Depends on total income | Depends on total income |
When does a minijob become a midijob?
As soon as your regular pay exceeds the minijob limit, the marginal employment status ends. The transitional range up to €2,000 per month then applies. In practice, a simple calculation helps, because the minimum wage determines how many hours you need to reach a limit.
- Minijob limit 2026: €603 divided by €13.90 equals about 43 hours per month.
- Minijob limit 2027: €633 divided by €14.60 equals about 43 hours per month as well.
- If you regularly work more hours, your pay exceeds the limit and compulsory insurance begins.
Which contributions apply in three examples?
The following examples show the calculation for 2026. They are models, not a calculation for your own pay. Your employer carries out the exact payroll.
- Minijob with €520 per month: this is below €603, the employer pays flat-rate contributions, and you usually pay no social security contributions.
- Midijob with €900 per month: this lies in the transitional range. You are subject to compulsory insurance in all branches, and the contribution rises in steps with your pay.
- Student job with 20 hours per week at €14 per hour: 20 hours times 4.33 weeks times €14 equals about €1,212 per month. The employee’s pension contribution of 9.3% amounts to about €113.
What does this mean for family insurance?
For family insurance, your total regular income counts. In 2026, the limit is €565 per month. A special rule applies to minijobs: a regular total monthly income up to the marginal earnings limit of €603 is permitted. Whether this applies in your case also depends on your age and your other income. The details are described in our guide on health insurance with a side job.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I earn more than €603 in one month?
An unforeseeable exceeding is possible in at most two calendar months per calendar year, up to twice the limit, under § 8 para. 1b SGB IV. If the limit is exceeded regularly or for longer, the employment counts as subject to social security contributions.
From when is a job a midijob?
In 2026, the transitional range begins above €603 and extends to €2,000 per month. Above this limit, the full contribution applies. Below the minijob limit, marginal employment applies.
Do I lose family insurance eligibility through a minijob?
Not automatically. A special rule applies to minijobs, under which a regular total income up to the marginal earnings limit is permitted. Age and training status are also decisive.
Here is what to do now
- Calculate your average monthly pay, not the figure for a single month.
- Check whether you work more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period.
- Ask for the type of employment to be confirmed in writing in your employment contract.
- Check your first payslip for deductions and the contribution group.
- Report changes in hours or pay to your health insurer if you are insured as a family member.
Related reading
- Student job: 20-hour rule, pension and semester breaks (in German)
- Side job and tax: what applies to minijobs, student jobs and more (in German)
- Students over 30 with a minijob or part-time job (in German)
- Glossary of health insurance for students (in German)
Sources and review
- § 8 SGB IV (marginal employment and unforeseeable exceeding), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026
- § 20 para. 2 SGB IV (transitional range), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026, upper limit according to the wording €2,000
- Marginal employment limit 2027 (€633), Minijob-Zentrale, accessed 20 October 2026
- Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, accessed 20 October 2026
- § 10 SGB V (family insurance), calculation parameters 2026, GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet, status 1 January 2026
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
If you want to classify your pay and hours specifically, the next step is the Academycon online check.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
