The Referendariat in Hesse (the paid practical training after university) raises three questions: how much trainee pay (Anwärterbezüge) you receive, which Beihilfe (state partial reimbursement of medical costs) applies, and how health insurance is organised during training. Hesse differs from many other states in its Beihilfe rates for trainees, and the answers depend on whether you train as a teacher or as a lawyer. This guide summarises the verified figures.
Short answer: According to the dbb salary table (status 1 July 2026, subject to promulgation), trainee pay at pay grade A 13 in Hesse is 1,868.96 euros gross per month. Under the Hessian Beihilfe information sheet, recipients of trainee pay receive 70 percent for outpatient and dental services and 85 percent for inpatient services, regardless of family status. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Trainee pay at pay grade A 13 is 1,868.96 euros gross per month according to the dbb table (status 1 July 2026).
- The table is subject to publication in the official gazette, so check the figure before you rely on it.
- Recipients of trainee pay receive Beihilfe of 70 percent (outpatient, dental) and 85 percent (inpatient), according to the Hessian information sheet.
- For legal trainees, the sheet names no amount for the subsistence allowance. The competent higher regional court gives the binding answer.
- Before you choose a tariff, know the actual Beihilfe rate and the status rules that apply to you.
How much is trainee pay in Hesse?
Trainee pay is the monthly salary during the practical training. The dbb salary table for Hesse, status 1 July 2026, lists 1,868.96 euros for pay grade A 13. The table reproduces the state salary scale through a union source and carries the reservation of publication in the gazette. Until the figure is binding, treat it as a reliable guide rather than a fixed amount.
| Item | Value | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee pay, entry grade A 13 | 1,868.96 euros gross per month | 1 July 2026 | dbb salary table, subject to promulgation |
| Beihilfe for trainee-pay recipients, outpatient and dental | 70 percent | October 2026 | Hessian Beihilfe ordinance information sheet, section 15 |
| Beihilfe for trainee-pay recipients, inpatient | 85 percent | October 2026 | Hessian Beihilfe ordinance information sheet, section 15 |
| Subsistence allowance for legal trainees | no amount in the sheet | April 2026 | Information sheet for entry into the practical training |
The figure applies to grade A 13. Your appointment documents show which grade applies to your teaching qualification. Trainee pay is gross. Income tax and social insurance contributions are deducted, and the amount depends on your tax class and family situation. For your own calculation, the federal finance ministry offers a tax calculator. This guide does not calculate income tax.
Beihilfe in Hesse: a special case
Beihilfe is a benefit from the employer that covers part of your medical costs. As a rule for probationary civil servants without children, the standard rate is 50 percent. Hesse sets a different rate for recipients of trainee pay. According to the information sheet on the Hessian Beihilfe ordinance issued by the Regierungspräsidium Kassel, the rate is 70 percent for outpatient and dental services and 85 percent for inpatient services. Family status does not change these rates.
For you this means that the uncovered share is smaller in Hesse than in states with a 50 percent rate. A share remains open all the same, especially for outpatient care, where the rate of 70 percent leaves 30 percent to be covered. You must pay that share yourself or insure it privately. How large the gap is shows only when your receipts are processed.
A flat-rate Beihilfe (pauschale Beihilfe) is not confirmed for Hesse in the sources we checked. The Beihilfe office of the state gives binding information on any options.
Legal training in Hesse: a different structure
In legal training, the status depends on whether the conditions for a civil servant on probation are met. According to the Hessian information sheet for entry into the practical training (status 16 April 2026), you are a civil servant on probation when the conditions are fulfilled. Otherwise you are in a training relationship under public law with the same subsistence allowance. The sheet does not name the amount for this route, so this guide gives none either. The competent higher regional court provides the binding answer. The German guide on Rechtsreferendariat in Hessen covers further points on health insurance and side jobs.
Health insurance during training in Hesse
Whether you are statutorily or privately insured depends on your status. Civil servants with entitlement to continued salary payment and Beihilfe are exempt from statutory insurance under § 6 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V. For trainees in a training relationship under public law, the situation depends on the individual case and needs checking.
Beihilfe covers only part of the costs. The remaining share is usually insured privately. When you choose a tariff, the Beihilfe rate of 70 or 85 percent, pre-existing conditions and your need for benefits are the decisive factors. Health questions must be answered completely. Under § 19 para. 1 VVG, material circumstances about which the insurer has asked in text form must be disclosed.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 70 percent Beihilfe rate apply to all trainees in Hesse?
According to the information sheet, the rate applies to recipients of trainee pay and is uniform regardless of family status. Whether your personal status falls into that group is confirmed by the Beihilfe office, using your appointment documents.
Why is Hesse different from the federal standard?
Beihilfe is state law. Each state sets its own rates in its Beihilfe ordinance, and Hesse has its own rate for trainee-pay recipients. The 50 percent figure is therefore a guideline and not a binding rule for Hesse.
Why is the trainee pay marked as subject to promulgation?
The dbb table reproduces the state salary scale and is a union document. It is subject to publication in the gazette. Before you commit money, check the figure in the official sources.
Can I plan my monthly budget with the trainee pay?
Yes, but use the net figure that remains after deductions, not the gross amount. Keep a buffer for health insurance contributions, the uncovered share of Beihilfe and unexpected costs. Travel to seminars and study material can also add up over the training period.
How to proceed now
- Check in your appointment documents which grade and status apply to you.
- Ask the Hessian Beihilfe office to confirm the rate for your status and family situation, and whether a flat-rate option is open to you.
- Compare tariffs on the basis of the actual uncovered share, not only on premium.
- For a personal assessment, Academycon offers advice at https://academycon.de/so-arbeiten-wir/.
Related reading
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Health Insurance for Referendare in Germany
- Beihilfe in Hesse: Rates, Out-of-Pocket Costs and PKV
Sources: Salary table Hesse, dbb (status 1 July 2026, subject to promulgation), Hessian Beihilfe ordinance information sheet, Regierungspräsidium Kassel (May 2026) and information sheet for entry into the practical training in Hesse (16 April 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
