In short: Trainee pay in the Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory training) ranges, according to the 2026 pay tables we could verify, roughly from 1,708 to 1,869 euros gross per month, depending on the state and grade. Beihilfe (state aid for medical costs) is usually 50 percent for civil servants without children, while Hesse uses higher rates. Last updated: October 2026, figures subject to official promulgation.
The most important points
- Trainee pay differs considerably between the German states. Verified figures range from about 1,708 to about 1,869 euros gross per month.
- Many figures come from pay tables that are still subject to official promulgation. Check your state’s gazette before you decide.
- Beihilfe is usually 50 percent of eligible costs. Hesse grants higher rates.
- Whether a flat-rate Beihilfe (pauschale Beihilfe) is offered depends on the state.
- Rules for teacher training and legal trainees (Rechtsreferendariat) can differ. Your appointment documents are decisive.
How much do trainees earn in each state?
The table shows the basic trainee amount at grade A 13, as listed in the pay tables for teacher trainees (Lehramt). The basic amount is shown before family allowances and deductions. For primary-school teacher training, some states apply grade A 12 instead. Your placement letter shows which applies.
| State | Basic trainee amount A 13 (gross, euros per month) | Valid from | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1,786.46 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Bavaria | 1,795.21 | 01.10.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Berlin | 1,807.47 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Brandenburg | not verified | 01.01.2026 | draft only |
| Bremen | 1,790.97 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, preliminary |
| Hamburg | not verified | 01.04.2026 | draft only |
| Hesse | 1,868.96 | 01.07.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 1,772.80 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Lower Saxony | 1,722.66 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1,793.28 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | not verified | 01.04.2026 | draft only |
| Saarland | 1,707.82 | 01.04.2026 | official gazette |
| Saxony | not verified | – | value not retrievable |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 1,744.00 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1,806.53 | 01.04.2026 | dbb table, subject to promulgation |
| Thuringia | 1,803.92 | 01.04.2026 | bill, subject to promulgation |
The figures come from the dbb pay tables (status 2026) and, for Saarland, from the official gazette. Where a value is only in a draft, we do not state it as a number.
Why Beihilfe differs from state to state
Beihilfe is governed by the Beihilfe regulation of the employing state, so the rules can differ by federal state. The standard rate for civil servants on probation without children is 50 percent. In Hesse, the Merkblatt to the HBeihVO sets 70 percent for outpatient and dental treatment and 85 percent for inpatient care.
| State | Beihilfe rate for trainees (standard case without children) | Flat-rate Beihilfe (secondary sources) |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 50 percent | yes |
| Bavaria | 50 percent | no |
| Berlin | 50 percent | yes |
| Brandenburg | 50 percent | yes |
| Bremen | 50 percent | yes |
| Hamburg | 50 percent | yes |
| Hesse | 70 percent outpatient, 85 percent inpatient | no |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 50 percent | yes |
| Lower Saxony | 50 percent | yes |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 50 percent | no |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 50 percent | no |
| Saarland | 50 percent | no |
| Saxony | 50 percent without a child, 70 percent with one child | unclear |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 50 percent | yes |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 50 percent | not clarified |
| Thuringia | 50 percent | yes |
The information on flat-rate Beihilfe comes from secondary sources and is not confirmed everywhere. A flat-rate Beihilfe is a model for civil servants who are voluntarily insured in statutory health insurance. The employer then pays a monthly amount instead of reimbursing individual bills. Whether it suits you is governed by state law.
Worked example: what remains after Beihilfe?
Assumption: You are a civil servant without children, your medical bill is 400 euros, and the Beihilfe rate is 50 percent. Beihilfe covers 200 euros. The other 200 euros must be covered by a supplementary plan or paid by you. At 70 percent, as in Hesse for outpatient care, only 120 euros would remain.
For comparison, the reduced contribution rate in statutory health insurance is 14.0 percent under Section 243 SGB V. Voluntary members pay the contribution from gross income, and the additional contribution is added on top. On average, the additional contribution was 2.9 percent in 2026 (Federal Ministry of Health).
Do I need to know my net pay?
For planning, the gross figure matters most, because taxes and social contributions depend on your tax class and family situation. A self-made estimate of income tax is not reliable here. For net examples, use the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which computes the tax correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Are trainee pay rules the same for legal trainees and teacher trainees?
Not always. In some states, legal trainees receive a maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsbeihilfe) instead of trainee pay. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the allowance for legal trainees is 1,585.17 euros under the regulation valid from April 2026, plus family allowance. The regulation of your state is the authority.
What does the caveat on these figures mean?
Pay tables are often published before the official promulgation, so the figures can still change. That is why we name the source and the status for each value.
How do I get the current figure for my state?
The most reliable sources are your state’s official gazette and the responsible authority. Your placement letter shows the amount that applies to you and is the key basis for your planning.
Do I have to apply for Beihilfe myself?
Yes, you submit your bills to the Beihilfe office, unless you receive a flat-rate Beihilfe. The guide on submitting Beihilfe claims explains the steps.
Do the rules for health insurance differ between states?
Yes. The Beihilfe rates, flat-rate models and rules for trainee tariffs differ. The basic logic is usually the same: Beihilfe plus a supplementary plan, or voluntary membership in statutory insurance.
What to do now
- Read your placement letter and note your grade and basic amount.
- Check the Beihilfe rate for your family situation with your state’s Beihilfe office.
- Clarify whether a flat-rate Beihilfe is an option for you and which deadlines apply.
- Compare a supplementary plan with voluntary statutory insurance based on your gross pay.
Related reading
- Legal traineeship in North Rhine-Westphalia: maintenance allowance and health insurance
- Beihilfe in Lower Saxony: rates, co-payment and suitable private cover
- Flat-rate Beihilfe for trainees: which states offer it
- Health insurance during the Referendariat (in German)
Sources: Official gazette of Saarland, Part I No. 24 of 25.06.2026 (pay law, Annex VI), Regulation on monthly maintenance allowance in NRW, status 01.04.2026, Merkblatt on the HBeihVO, Hesse, Federal Ministry of Health, contributions in statutory insurance, 2026, dbb pay table Lower Saxony, status 04/2026 (trade union document) (German sources).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
