The trainee special supplement (Anwärtersonderzuschlag) is a term from civil service pay law. It often appears during the trainee period without being explained in everyday language. During the preparatory service, your pay consists of several components. This glossary places the term in context, outlines the most important neighbouring terms and shows where you can find reliable figures.
Short answer: The trainee special supplement is a component of trainee pay (Anwärterbezüge), that is, the money trainees receive during the preparatory service. Whether it is paid, and in what amount, depends on the pay law of your state or of the federal government. Source: dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, Lexikon Anwärterbezüge, accessed October 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The trainee special supplement is part of trainee pay. It is not a scholarship and not funding under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).
- Trainee pay consists of several components, including the basic trainee amount (Anwärtergrundbetrag), the trainee special supplement and the family supplement (Familienzuschlag).
- Requirements and amount are governed by the pay law of the state in which you complete the preparatory service.
- A supplement is not a flat sum that every trainee receives automatically. What counts is your employer’s notice.
- Pay tables are useful for comparisons between states, but they should always state their date and any reservations.
What does the term mean?
In pay law, trainee pay (Anwärterbezüge) refers to the official pay that probationary civil servants (Beamtinnen und Beamte auf Widerruf) receive during their training. In the trainee period, this includes trainee lawyers (Rechtsreferendare) as well as trainee teachers (Lehramtsanwärter). The word special supplement (Sonderzuschlag) points to an allowance that can be granted on top of the basic amount if the statutory requirements are met.
The distinction matters. The trainee special supplement is not a benefit you earn by completing your degree. Whether it is paid depends on your state’s law. That is why it is not enough to read a figure from a table without checking it against your own situation.
The components of trainee pay at a glance
| Term | What it means | Where you check it |
|---|---|---|
| Basic trainee amount (Anwärtergrundbetrag) | Monthly basic amount of trainee pay, depending on state and entry grade | Pay table of your state |
| Trainee special supplement (Anwärtersonderzuschlag) | Supplement on top of the basic amount if the statutory requirements are met | Pay law of your state, notice from your employer |
| Family supplement (Familienzuschlag) | Supplement for family members under the rules of pay law | Pay law, pay notice |
| Capital-forming benefits (vermögenswirksame Leistungen) | Additional benefit for a savings contract, where provided for | Pay notice |
What is trainee pay at entry grade A 13?
The following table shows trainee pay at entry grade A 13 for selected states, as listed in the dbb pay tables. The figures are in euros per month and are stated with the date of the respective table. They do not tell you your personal pay, because family status, supplements and deductions are not included.
| State | Trainee A 13 (per month) | Date according to table |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1,786.46 euros | 1 April 2026 |
| Bavaria | 1,795.21 euros | 1 October 2026 |
| Hesse | 1,868.96 euros | 1 July 2026 |
| Lower Saxony | 1,722.66 euros | 1 April 2026 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1,793.28 euros | 1 April 2026 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 1,744.00 euros | 1 April 2026 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1,806.53 euros | 1 April 2026 |
The tables come from a trade union presentation of the pay tables. Some states have announced new rules or published drafts. Before a decision, for example about moving to another state, check the figure in your state’s law and ordinance gazette or with the responsible state office.
Frequently asked questions
Does every trainee receive a trainee special supplement?
Not automatically. Whether a supplement is granted depends on your state’s pay law and on your personal situation. Your pay notice shows which components are paid to you.
Is the trainee special supplement taxable?
Trainee pay is generally subject to wage tax. To estimate your net pay, the calculator (Abgabenrechner) of the Federal Ministry of Finance is suitable. You enter your own data into it.
Where do I find the binding figures for my state?
In the pay law and pay table of your state, published in the law and ordinance gazette. Union tables help with comparisons, but they do not replace the official text.
Do I have to apply for the supplement myself?
This differs from state to state. First check your appointment or pay notice. If a component you expect is missing, ask the responsible office and request written information.
What changes when a new pay table applies?
Pay tables are adjusted on fixed dates. Whether back payments are made, and from when new figures apply, is set by state law. The date on your notice shows which version applies to your pay.
What to do now
- Place your pay notice next to the table and check each component separately.
- Compare the basic trainee amount with your state’s pay law and note the date from which it applies.
- Ask the responsible office if a supplement is missing or you cannot reproduce a figure.
- Calculate your net pay with the calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance before you make decisions.
Related reading
- Trainee Teacher Salary in Germany by State
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Health Insurance for Referendare in Germany
- Legal Traineeship Insurance: Guide for Lawyers
Sources: dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, Lexikon Anwärterbezüge (accessed October 2026) · § 63 Federal Pay Act (Bundesbesoldungsgesetz, BBesG), federal law (accessed October 2026)
Stand: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
