Teacher training (Lehramtsreferendariat, the practical teaching placement after university) in Baden-Württemberg is paid as a trainee allowance under state civil service pay law (Besoldungsrecht). How much you receive and how you are insured depend on your status during the training.
Short answer: Trainee pay for teacher training in Baden-Württemberg follows the state pay law (LBesGBW), mainly section 79 and the basic trainee amount in Annex 11. For pay grade A 13 the basic trainee amount is 1,786.46 euros and for A 12 it is 1,753.53 euros per month (status 1 April 2026, according to the dbb pay table, subject to promulgation). The current figures are set out in Annex 11 (last updated: October 2026).
The most important points
- Trainee pay is governed by the Landesbesoldungsgesetz Baden-Württemberg (LBesGBW). Sections 79 to 82 are the starting point.
- The basic trainee amount (Anwärtergrundbetrag) is in Annex 11 to the law. Check the current version for your position.
- Supplements such as the trainee special supplement under section 81 can be added if the conditions are met.
- For lessons you teach independently, a teaching allowance (Unterrichtsvergütung) may be paid under section 82.
- Whether you are covered by Beihilfe with a supplementary private plan or by statutory health insurance depends on your status and family situation.
What does the state pay law regulate?
The Baden-Württemberg state pay law contains the rules on trainee pay in its sixth section. The text was last amended by the act of 18 November 2025 (GBl. 2025 No. 122). The table below shows which provision covers what. The statute is available in the state law database of Baden-Württemberg (German).
| Provision | Content in brief |
|---|---|
| Section 79 LBesGBW | Trainee pay during the training |
| Section 80 LBesGBW | Pay after the final examination (Laufbahnprüfung) |
| Section 81 LBesGBW | Trainee special supplements (Anwärtersonderzuschläge) |
| Section 82 LBesGBW | Teaching allowance for trainee teachers |
| Annex 11 | Table of the basic trainee amount |
The headings of the provisions are reliable. Please read the current law for amounts and conditions, because they can shift with each change to the pay rules.
How is the pay made up?
During the training, the basic trainee amount forms the foundation. It is fixed by the table in Annex 11 and paid monthly. Supplements can be added where the law sets conditions. Which supplements apply to you is checked by the pay office on the basis of your appointment letter.
In practice, the start date of the pay, special rules for the length of the training and the treatment of interruptions matter as much as the figure itself. Ask about these early.
Teaching allowance during the training
Trainee teachers who teach lessons independently may receive a separate teaching allowance under section 82 LBesGBW. Whether it is paid, and in what amount, depends on the scope of the teaching and the rules in the law. Keep timetables and confirmations from the seminar leadership so you can prove the hours.
Beihilfe and health insurance
Trainee teachers are in a public service relationship with the state. Which insurance suits you therefore depends on your status. The appointment letter shows whether you are appointed as a civil servant on probation (Beamtin oder Beamter auf Widerruf). In that case, the state Beihilfe usually applies, supplemented by a private health plan.
The reimbursement rates of the Beihilfe follow the state rules. As a rule, civil servants on probation without children have a rate of 50 percent (last updated: October 2026), based on the state Beihilfe ordinance. A short overview of the routes to cover is in the German guide Krankenversicherung im Referendariat: GKV, PKV und Beihilfe (German).
If you are not covered by Beihilfe or you choose statutory insurance, check the minimum contribution basis. For voluntary members the minimum assessment base in 2026 was EUR 1,318.33 per month (source: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation parameters, German).
Family insurance and spouses
A spouse can be insured as a family member in statutory health insurance if their total income regularly does not exceed EUR 565 per month (2026). The rule is in section 10 of Book V of the Social Code (SGB V) (German). If your partner earns more, family insurance ends and you need a different solution.
Secondary employment during the training
Secondary employment during the training is permitted only with approval. Whether and to what extent you may work is set by the civil service rules and the requirements of your training office. Clarify this in writing before you start.
Worked example with assumptions
Assumption: your trainee pay and supplements add up to EUR 1,400 gross per month. In addition to Beihilfe you pay EUR 120 for health insurance. That leaves EUR 1,280 before tax and other deductions. Use this only as a planning model until you know the exact figure from Annex 11.
Frequently asked questions
Do I receive child benefit or the family supplement during the training?
That depends on your family situation and the legal basis. The family supplement is regulated within the pay rules, while child benefit follows the tax rules. Ask the pay office and get the answer in writing.
Can I interrupt the training?
An interruption is possible only under certain conditions, for example for an important reason. The effects on pay and insurance are considerable, so ask the responsible office before you decide.
What happens after the final examination?
After the final examination the rules of section 80 LBesGBW apply. Pay and insurance can then change, for example when you take up a permanent post. Plan the transition early.
Do I have to arrange my own health insurance?
In many cases, yes. The employer informs you about Beihilfe and your duties, but the choice of a private or statutory supplement is yours. For questions about supplementing Beihilfe, personal advice is available, for example from Academycon (German).
What to do now
- Read the appointment letter and note your status, pay grade and start date.
- Look up the current basic trainee amount in Annex 11 of the LBesGBW.
- Ask the pay office about the supplements under section 81 and the teaching allowance under section 82.
- Clarify Beihilfe and supplementary cover before the first pay slip arrives.
- Take on secondary employment only after written approval.
Related guides
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Teacher training insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Trainee Teacher Salary in Germany by State
Sources: dbb pay table Baden-Württemberg (draft), status 1 April 2026, Landesbesoldungsgesetz Baden-Württemberg (LBesGBW), sections 79 to 82 and Annex 11 (German); Section 10 SGB V, family insurance (German); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation parameters (1 January 2026, German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
