Trainee pay in the German legal and teacher training preparatory service (Referendariat) rises in 2027 in most federal states, but not on the same date and not by the same amount. If you want to know when the higher salary applies, you need to check your own state and the version that has actually been enacted. This guide summarises the position as of November 2026.
In short: According to a report dated 23 September 2026, twelve states raise civil service pay on 1 March 2027, eleven by 2.0 percent and Lower Saxony by 2.5 percent. For trainees, however, the basic trainee allowance (Anwärtergrundbetrag) is what counts. In North Rhine-Westphalia, trainee allowances rise by 60 euros on 1 March 2027, according to the state pay and pension office (as of November 2026).
The most important points
- According to the report of 23 September 2026, pay rises on 1 March 2027 in twelve states.
- Eleven of these states raise pay by 2.0 percent, Lower Saxony by 2.5 percent.
- Not every increase has been enacted yet. The report also lists draft bills and a Senate decision.
- During the preparatory service the basic trainee allowance counts. Percentages cannot simply be applied to your payment.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, trainee allowances rise by 60 euros on 1 March 2027.
- The law of the state that employs you as a trainee is decisive.
Which states raise pay on 1 March 2027?
The table lists the twelve states named in the report. The status reflects the state of the article dated 23 September 2026. The report is a secondary source, and its status information is not official. An increase becomes binding only once it is promulgated in the respective state gazette.
| State | Increase from 1 March 2027 | Status according to the report |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 2.0 percent | Draft bill |
| Berlin | 2.0 percent | Act promulgated |
| Bremen | 2.0 percent | Senate decision (draft) |
| Hamburg | 2.0 percent | Draft bill |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 2.0 percent | Act promulgated |
| Lower Saxony | 2.5 percent | Draft bill |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 2.0 percent | Status reported inconsistently, check the current position with the NRW state pay office |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 2.0 percent | State parliament has approved |
| Saarland | 2.0 percent | Act in force |
| Saxony | 2.0 percent | Act promulgated |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 2.0 percent | Act promulgated |
| Thuringia | 2.0 percent | Draft bill, decision planned for October |
The report also mentions Brandenburg. According to the article, pay there does not rise in a linear way on 1 March 2027. Instead, the weekly working time is extended to 41 hours. If you train in Brandenburg, read the rule in the law itself.
Why the percentage is not enough for trainees
The percentages refer to the pay of established civil servants. During the preparatory service you receive the basic trainee allowance, which each state sets separately. This amount does not always rise by the same percentage as other pay. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the state finance administration shows that trainee allowances rise by a fixed amount on 1 March 2027, namely 60 euros.
For planning, the concrete amount matters more than the headline. The phrase “twelve states” does not tell you how much more you will receive each month.
What is the basic trainee allowance in each state?
The following table lists the basic trainee allowances at pay grade A 13 for three states where the step on 1 March 2027 is documented. The 2026 values come from the pay table published by the dbb (Deutscher Beamtenbund, a secondary source), status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation. The step for Thuringia comes from a draft bill.
| State | Basic trainee allowance A 13 (2026) | Level from 1 March 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1,793.28 euros | plus 60 euros |
| Saarland | 1,707.82 euros | 1,767.82 euros |
| Thuringia | 1,803.92 euros (draft bill) | 1,863.92 euros (draft bill) |
You can check the other states in the same way, using the pay tables of each state. A table compiled by a third party does not replace the figures in the state gazette.
Worked example: what 60 euros a month means
Assumption: your basic trainee allowance rises by 60 euros a month on 1 March 2027, as in North Rhine-Westphalia. Over twelve months this comes to 720 euros gross. Contributions are deducted from this amount, so you receive less net. For a net calculation, the German federal tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (in German) is the reference point.
How do you check the position for your state?
Whether an increase applies to you depends on the state, the legal status and your training relationship. Work through the steps below, so you do not rely on outdated figures.
A look at the step sequence in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia shows how increases can be staggered. The state finance administration sets out three steps for 2026 to 2028, with basic pay and trainee allowances shown separately. For 2026 the basic pay step is 3.36 percent, above the collectively agreed 2.8 percent. Trainee allowances rise by a fixed amount.
| Date | Basic pay and pay-linked allowances | Trainee allowances and maintenance allowances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | 3.36 percent (family allowances 2.8 percent) | plus 60 euros |
| 1 March 2027 | 2.0 percent | plus 60 euros |
| 1 January 2028 | 1.0 percent | plus 30 euros |
According to the finance administration, the 2026 increase is paid in July 2026 retroactively to 1 April 2026. An increase can therefore reach your account with a delay. Keep this in mind for your financial planning in spring 2027, even if the increase is already in the law. Source: State Pay and Pension Office NRW (Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung NRW), information on the pay and pension increases for 2026, 2027 and 2028 (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Has the increase already been decided?
That depends on the state. The report lists draft bills, promulgated acts and a Senate decision. An increase only counts as decided once the act has been promulgated. Drafts can still change during the legislative process.
Does the increase also apply to trainees already in service?
The pay act of the state decides this. Whether an adjustment also covers trainees who are already in service is set out in the law itself. The authoritative answer comes from the responsible authority in your state.
Where can I find the exact amount for my state?
The pay table is published in the state gazette and is available from the responsible pay office of the state justice administration. If in doubt, ask directly which amount applies to your training relationship.
Does pay affect my health insurance?
The level of your allowance and the type of your health insurance are separate questions. How you are insured during the preparatory service depends on other rules. Our guide on health insurance during the preparatory service (in German) explains them.
What you can do now
- Identify the state that employs you as a trainee.
- Check the state gazette to see whether the increase on 1 March 2027 has been promulgated and which amount applies.
- Ask the responsible pay office whether a different rule applies to your training relationship.
- Note the amount and its date before you make decisions about rent or financing.
Related articles
- Staatsexamen and Referendariat: Reforms, Deadlines and Rules at a Glance, the hub for this topic group.
- Referendariat: Trainee Pay by State (in German), with the 2026 amounts.
- E-Exam Law 2026: Which States Introduce the Digital Exam.
- Health Insurance in the Referendariat (in German).
Sources: Twelve states raise pay on 1 March 2027, specialist report, status 23 September 2026 and State Pay and Pension Office NRW (Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung NRW), information on the pay and pension increases for 2026, 2027 and 2028, status 2026 (both in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
