The legal traineeship (Rechtsreferendariat) in Thuringia is the second stage of legal training after the first state examination. Unlike in many other states, your status decides pay, state health aid and insurance. This guide explains what you need to clarify and which figures we could confirm.
Short answer: Whether you are a civil servant on probation (Beamter auf Widerruf) or in another training relationship is shown in your appointment letter (status: October 2026). We could not find a reliable current source for the status, so we give no euro amounts. Voluntary statutory members pay about 270.26 euros per month for health and long-term care on the minimum base (status 1 January 2026).
The most important points at a glance
- Clarify your status: whether you are a civil servant on probation decides state aid and insurance.
- No euro figure: we have no confirmed 2026 table for trainee lawyers in Thuringia.
- Earlier situation: a 2016 report described the civil servant status of trainee lawyers in Thuringia as an exception, with a planned change.
- Insurance: as a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). Without civil servant status, compulsory insurance, family cover or voluntary membership may apply.
- Side jobs: get approval before you start.
Are you a civil servant on probation in Thuringia?
States regulate the legal traineeship differently. Some pay trainee salaries as civil servants on probation, others pay a training allowance under a training relationship. In March 2016, the legal news site LTO reported that Thuringia wanted to end the civil servant status of trainee lawyers. We did not reliably check what happened afterwards.
Source (status March 2016, only as an indication of the earlier situation): LTO, report on the civil servant status of trainee lawyers in Thuringia. Check the current position in your appointment letter and in Thuringian training law. If in doubt, ask the Higher Regional Court of Thuringia in Jena.
Which pay and state aid depend on the status?
The table shows how status changes the rules. It is not a substitute for advice on your case.
| Status | Pay | State aid | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil servant on probation | Trainee pay under Thuringian pay law | Entitlement under the Thuringian Beihilfe ordinance | Private insurance with aid, or voluntary statutory insurance |
| Other training relationship | Training allowance or similar payment under training law | Only if the employer grants it | Compulsory statutory insurance, family cover or voluntary membership |
For the Schleswig-Holstein comparison, see our guide on the legal traineeship in Schleswig-Holstein. Its rates do not apply in Thuringia.
Health insurance during the traineeship: what to calculate
As a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). If you stay voluntarily in statutory insurance, the minimum base gives the following amounts. The calculation assumes no employer contribution.
| Component | Rate | Amount per month (assumption: minimum base 1,318.33 euros) |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | 14.0 percent plus 2.9 percent additional contribution | 222.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance without the childless surcharge | 3.6 percent | 47.46 euros |
| Total | without the childless surcharge | 270.26 euros |
Source: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables (status 1 January 2026). A private premium depends on the tariff, your age and your health. We give no figure for it. Our guide Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims explains state aid in general terms.
Can you take a side job during the traineeship?
Side jobs usually need approval. We do not state an hour limit for Thuringia, because we could not confirm the current rule with a 2026 date. Ask your training employer first. For the tax basics, see part-time jobs and taxes for students.
Frequently asked questions
Am I automatically a civil servant as a trainee lawyer in Thuringia?
That depends on current state law and on your appointment letter. The Higher Regional Court in Jena or your training employer can give you a reliable answer. Do not rely on older reports.
Do I have to be in statutory insurance?
It depends on your status. As a civil servant you are exempt. In another training relationship, compulsory insurance may apply. Confirm this in writing with your health insurer before you cancel anything.
Does state aid continue if I change my training post?
The state aid office decides this case by case. Get the entitlement confirmed in writing before a change, so that you are not left without cover.
What happens after the second state examination?
Your cover then depends on your next status. If you become a civil servant, you move to state aid. If you do not, you need a solution for the gap in between. Plan the transition early.
What to do next
- Read your appointment letter: check status, pay and responsible office.
- Clarify state aid in writing: ask for your entitlement, rate and co-payment.
- Compare insurance: calculate voluntary statutory insurance against private insurance with state aid. A personal assessment is offered by Academycon, see how we work.
- Get side jobs approved: start only after approval.
Related guides
- Law student insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Teacher training insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Health insurance in the legal traineeship: guide for lawyers (in German)
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables (status 1 January 2026); section 6 SGB V, exemption for civil servants; LTO, report on the status of trainee lawyers in Thuringia (status March 2016, earlier situation).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
