Teacher training in Thuringia (Lehramtsreferendariat) is the practical traineeship that follows your degree. Pay and state health aid (Beihilfe) follow state law, and health insurance also follows federal law. This guide shows which values apply across Germany and what you need to check in Thuringia yourself.
Short answer: Trainee pay in Thuringia follows Thuringian pay law and changes with adjustment acts. According to the draft bill (annex 7, effective date 1 April 2026, promulgation not verified), the basic trainee amount is EUR 1,803.92 in A 13 and EUR 1,768.40 in A 12 (status October 2026). Across Germany, civil servants are exempt from statutory insurance. Voluntary statutory members pay about 270.26 euros per month for health and long-term care on the minimum base.
The most important points at a glance
- Pay: trainee pay follows Thuringian pay law. A 2026 to 2028 adjustment act sets basic amounts by entry grade. Check in the state gazette whether and from when it applies.
- State health aid: Thuringia regulates it in its own ordinance. Ask the state aid office for your rate rather than assuming another state’s rate.
- Insurance: as a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). The choice between private insurance and voluntary statutory insurance remains yours.
- Nationwide: the minimum contribution base for voluntary statutory insurance is the same in every state.
- No transfer: figures from other states do not apply automatically in Thuringia.
Which pay applies to teacher trainees in Thuringia?
Trainee pay depends on the entry pay grade, which is the grade that applies to your teaching subject. An adjustment act for the years 2026 to 2028 contains basic trainee amounts by entry grade. The figures come from the draft bill (annex 7), subject to promulgation. We could not reliably confirm whether and from which date this version applies.
The assignment to your subject is set in the state’s training regulation and in your appointment letter. Check these before you plan with numbers. For the structure of a state table, see our guide on teacher training in Schleswig-Holstein.
What to clarify in Thuringia
The table links each question to the rule that answers it, so you know where to look.
| Topic | Where the rule is | What you ask |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee pay and entry grade | Thuringian pay law and adjustment act | Basic amount, assignment to your subject, start of payment |
| State health aid | Thuringian Beihilfe ordinance | Rate for you and your family, co-payment, dental treatment |
| Health insurance | Social Code Book V, section 6 on exemption for civil servants | Voluntary statutory or private insurance, deadlines, possible employer contribution |
| Side jobs | State rules for civil servants and trainees | Approval, hour limits, notification duties |
How does state health aid work in Thuringia?
State aid complements health insurance and covers a fixed share of costs. The rates for trainees, spouses and children are in the Thuringian Beihilfe ordinance. As a rule, civil servants on probation without children receive 50 percent (secondary source, status October 2026). We did not find a current 2026 overview from which we could confirm a figure. Ask the state aid office directly and get the answer in writing.
For a worked example from a neighbouring state, see our guide on state aid in Schleswig-Holstein. There the rates are confirmed. In Thuringia, you need to confirm them yourself.
Health insurance: statutory or private?
As a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). You choose between comprehensive private insurance with a Beihilfe top-up and voluntary membership in statutory insurance. Our guide trainee teachers in statutory health insurance: how voluntary cover works explains the process.
- For private insurance: you are healthy, can carry the tariff for years and want to combine it with state aid.
- Against private insurance: pre-existing conditions make admission harder, and premiums rise with age.
- For voluntary statutory insurance: there is no health check, and the contribution follows your income.
- Against voluntary statutory insurance: without an employer contribution you pay the full amount. With a contribution, general state aid ends.
What does voluntary statutory insurance cost on the minimum base?
The calculation below uses the federal minimum base, so it is the same in Thuringia. It is simplified and 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). Your additional contribution can differ, because each insurer sets its own rate.
Can you take a side job during the traineeship?
Side jobs usually need approval. The rules are in state law and in the training regulation. We do not give an hour limit, because we have not checked a current source for 2026. For the tax side, see part-time jobs and taxes for students.
Frequently asked questions
Does state aid also cover my family?
Yes, under the rates of the Thuringian ordinance. Ask the state aid office which income limits apply to spouses, because they can differ from those in other states.
Do I have to be in statutory insurance?
No. As a civil servant you are exempt. You can stay voluntarily in statutory insurance or insure yourself privately. Confirm each decision in writing before you cancel an existing policy.
How do I avoid a gap in cover?
Get written confirmation of your membership or the start of your new cover before you end the old one. Ask your insurer which deadlines apply.
Where do I find the basic amount for my subject?
Ask your training school or the responsible pay office of the state. They can tell you which entry grade applies and which amount goes with it.
What to do next
- Check your appointment letter: note your entry grade, civil servant status and start of pay.
- Clarify state aid in writing: ask for your rate and the rate for your family.
- Compare insurance: calculate statutory insurance on the minimum base against private insurance with a top-up. A personal assessment is offered by Academycon, see how we work.
- Secure the switch: cancel only when the new cover is confirmed.
Related guides
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Trainee Teachers in Statutory Health Insurance: How Voluntary Cover Works
- Teacher training insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Health insurance during the traineeship: GKV, PKV and Beihilfe (in German)
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables (status 1 January 2026); section 6 SGB V, exemption for civil servants; draft bill on pay adjustment Thuringia 2026 to 2028, annex 7 (draft, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
