Trainee pay (Anwärterbezüge) is the monthly pay that trainee lawyers and teachers (Referendarinnen und Referendare) receive during their preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst). The term appears in laws, job offers and discussions about health insurance and Beihilfe. This guide explains what lies behind it and why the amount differs from state to state.
Short answer: Trainee pay is the pay received during the preparatory service, that is, the trainee period. It is paid by the state and set in the state pay laws, which is why it differs between federal states. According to the dbb pay table, the figure for pay grade A 13 in Baden-Württemberg is 1,786.46 euros (status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation). The law of your own state is always binding.
The essentials at a glance
- Trainee pay is the money you receive during the preparatory service.
- It is based on state law and differs from one federal state to another.
- The pay figures are gross. What remains net depends on tax and your health insurance.
- Compare values only with their status date and source, because tables change on fixed dates.
- For net examples, the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance is a useful tool.
What exactly is trainee pay?
Trainee lawyers and teachers are in the preparatory service, which prepares them for the second state examination or the final examination. There they are usually employed as civil servants on revocable appointment (Beamte auf Widerruf). Instead of the salary of a fully trained civil servant, they receive trainee pay. The word Anwärter shows that the pay is tied to the training.
What are the trainee pay rates in the states?
The table below shows the value for pay grade A 13, as stated in the respective pay table. The figures for all states except Saarland come from the dbb pay tables (one table per state, see Sources) and are subject to promulgation. Saarland cites the official version. Do not transfer a value to another state.
| State | A 13 in euros (trainee) | Status date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1,786.46 | 01.04.2026 | dbb, table for the draft act, subject to promulgation |
| Bavaria | 1,795.21 | 01.10.2026 | dbb, table for the draft act, subject to promulgation |
| Lower Saxony | 1,722.66 | 01.04.2026 | dbb, subject to promulgation |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1,793.28 | 01.04.2026 | dbb, subject to promulgation |
| Saarland | 1,707.82 | 01.04.2026 | Official gazette of Saarland, Part I No. 24 of 25.06.2026 |
The list is not complete. The current pay table in your state’s official gazette shows what applies in your state.
What determines the amount?
The amount depends on the state and the training. Allowances such as the family supplement can be added, if they apply to you. The pay regulations of your state set out which components are combined. That is why an amount can differ from what you read in a summary.
How do you read a pay figure correctly?
A figure without a date tells you little. When comparing, proceed as follows:
- Check the status date. Many tables only apply from a later date.
- Check the source. Official gazettes are binding, while overviews from trade unions or portals are only pointers.
- Pay attention to gross and net. Trainee pay is stated before tax.
Frequently asked questions
Is trainee pay the same as a salary?
No. Trainee pay is tied to the preparatory service and is usually below the level of a fully trained civil servant. Only when you move into a permanent post does the pay of that post apply.
Do I receive trainee pay in every state?
In most states, yes, but the rules differ, including by subject. In the legal traineeship, some states pay a maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsbeihilfe) instead of trainee pay. For your state and training, check which benefit applies.
Do I have to pay tax on trainee pay?
Yes, trainee pay is taxable income. How much remains net depends on your tax class, your family status and your health insurance. For an estimate, the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance can help. A binding answer comes from your tax office.
Do the pay amounts change during the traineeship?
They can change through adjustments on fixed dates. That is why the table values always carry a status date. Whether a later step applies to you is shown in the pay table of your state.
Where can I get the binding amount?
The binding source is the state law in the official gazette. Your training authority or personnel office will give you the current amount on request, in writing.
What to do now
- Note your federal state and the preparatory service that applies to you.
- Look up the amount in your state’s official gazette or ask your training authority.
- Calculate your net pay with the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
- Check how your health insurance affects the deductions, for example with Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims.
Related reading
- Health insurance during clerkship: GKV, PKV and Beihilfe
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Health Insurance After the Trainee Period: What Comes Next
- Referendariat: Anwärterbezüge nach Bundesland (in German)
Sources: Official gazette of Saarland, Part I No. 24 of 25 June 2026, Saarland Pay Act, Annex VI (official, status 1 April 2026), Amtsblatt des Saarlandes (in German), dbb, pay table Baden-Württemberg (draft act, status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation) (in German), dbb, pay table Bavaria (draft act, status 1 October 2026, subject to promulgation) (in German), dbb, pay table Lower Saxony (status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation) (in German), dbb, pay table North Rhine-Westphalia (status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation) (in German), Tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (accessed October 2026).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
