Legal traineeship pay in Germany varies more between states than most people expect. The training itself is regulated nationwide, but pay is set by each Land. This guide sorts the figures that could be verified and shows where you need to check your legal status first.
Short answer: Pay during the legal traineeship (Rechtsreferendariat) depends on the state. Where you are appointed as a civil servant on probation, trainee allowances at pay grade A 13 range from roughly 1,707 to 1,869 euros gross per month, according to the dbb table. In North Rhine-Westphalia the training allowance (Unterhaltsbeihilfe) is 1,585.17 euros under the regulation. Last updated: October 2026.
Key points
- The preparatory service lasts two years, or 24 months, under section 5b of the German Judiciary Act (DRiG).
- State law sets your legal status. You can be a civil servant on probation or in a public-law training relationship.
- As a civil servant you receive trainee allowances. In a training relationship you usually receive a training allowance (Unterhaltsbeihilfe).
- For North Rhine-Westphalia the training allowance is given as a figure, because the regulation states it.
- Health aid follows the 50 percent standard rate in most states. Hesse applies a higher rate.
Why trainee allowances and training allowances are not the same
Trainee allowances (Anwärterbezüge) are paid to civil servants on probation and follow the state salary table. The training allowance is paid in a public-law training relationship and follows its own regulation. Both can produce a similar-looking amount, but they are legally different. So ask about your legal status first, then about the amount.
In Hesse, for example, a guidance note from the higher regional court sets out the status. If the conditions are met, you are a civil servant on probation. Otherwise, you are in a public-law training relationship with an equally high training allowance. Your court’s guidance note explains how this works in your state.
Trainee allowances by state
The table shows trainee allowances at entry grade A 13 for civil servants on probation. The figures come from the dbb salary table for 2026, subject to publication in the official gazette. For Saarland, the figure comes from the state salary act in the official gazette. States without a verified figure are left out:
| State | Trainee allowance A 13, gross per month | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1,786.46 euros | April 2026 |
| Bavaria | 1,795.21 euros | October 2026 |
| Berlin | 1,807.47 euros | April 2026 |
| Bremen | 1,790.97 euros | April 2026 |
| Hesse | 1,868.96 euros | July 2026 |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 1,772.80 euros | April 2026 |
| Lower Saxony | 1,722.66 euros | April 2026 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1,793.28 euros | April 2026 |
| Saarland | 1,707.82 euros | April 2026 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 1,744.00 euros | April 2026 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1,806.53 euros | April 2026 |
For Brandenburg, Hamburg and Rhineland-Palatinate only a draft or no verified figure is available. For Saxony the basic amount has not been verified. For Thuringia the figure comes from a bill whose publication has not been confirmed. If your state is missing, ask the responsible office.
Training allowance: the example of North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia the training allowance is set by its own regulation. According to the regulation on the training allowance (in German), the basic amount is 1,585.17 euros, plus the family supplement, from 1 April 2026. The regulation runs until 28 February 2027, and further stages follow. Family supplement and the number of children can change the amount.
For other states no training allowance figures are given, because they could not be verified consistently. The competent state examination office or the higher regional court will tell you the current amount. The German guide on NRW trainee pay shows how figures change over time in one state.
Health aid during the legal traineeship
The standard rate for civil servants on probation without children is 50 percent of eligible costs, set out in the state health aid regulations. In Hesse the rate is higher under the state health aid regulation: 70 percent for outpatient and 85 percent for inpatient care. If you are in a training relationship, health aid can work differently. The basics are explained in our German guide on health aid during the Referendariat.
With a health aid rate of 50 percent, you need cover for the rest. The German guide on health insurance in the legal traineeship explains the choice between tariffs. A personal assessment is available through Academycon.
Example: monthly amount in two scenarios
Assumption: you are in a training relationship in North Rhine-Westphalia, have no children and receive the basic amount of 1,585.17 euros. We compare it with trainee pay of 1,800 euros in a state with civil servant status:
- The difference is 214.83 euros per month, purely on the basic amount.
- Over two years that adds up to 5,155.92 euros. This sum only holds if both amounts apply for the whole period and without family supplement.
- Remember health insurance contributions as well, since they differ depending on your legal status.
The example shows why the amount alone is never enough. Always combine the legal status, contributions and family situation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the legal traineeship last?
The preparatory service lasts two years under section 5b para. 1 DRiG (in German). The law sets the length nationwide, and the details of the arrangement follow state law. Plan your finances for 24 months, unless your state provides for an extension.
Do I earn more in Hesse?
Among the states listed here, the A 13 figure is highest in Hesse. Whether that amount applies to you depends on your legal status and on the guidance note of the higher regional court. A direct comparison only makes sense if the status and the reference date match.
Can I take a side job during the traineeship?
The state rules set whether and how much you may work alongside the preparatory service. Ask your training office before you start any activity. Work without permission can affect your pay.
What happens with a family?
With children you usually receive a family supplement, if your legal status provides for it. Health aid rates can also change, as in Saxony, where a higher rate applies with one child. The exact rules are in state law.
What you should do now
- Clarify your legal status with the appointing authority before you plan figures.
- Compare the amount for your state with the current salary table or training allowance regulation.
- Check the health aid rate for your family situation and the deadlines for applications.
- Clarify health insurance before you start, since its rules depend on your legal status.
Related reading
- Legal Traineeship Insurance: Guide for Lawyers
- Trainee Teacher Salary in Germany by State
- Health Insurance for Referendare in Germany
- Krankenversicherung im Rechtsreferendariat: Ratgeber für Juristen (in German)
Sources: section 5b DRiG (accessed October 2026, in German); NRW regulation on training allowance (as of 1 April 2026, in German); Hesse guidance note on entry into legal preparatory service (April 2026, in German); Saarland salary act, Official Gazette Part I No. 24 (June 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
