Wage garnishment catches many people who start their first job unprepared. Since 1 July 2026, a new garnishment table applies. It sets out which part of your net salary remains protected. How much actually reaches you depends on your income and on whether you have maintenance obligations.
Short answer: Since 1 July 2026, a basic protected amount of 1,587.40 euros per month of your net income cannot be garnished. For one person you maintain, this amount rises by 597.42 euros, and for each further person by 332.83 euros. Only part of the amount above this threshold is garnished. Last updated: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- What is garnished is your net income, not your gross salary.
- Since 1 July 2026, the basic protected amount is 1,587.40 euros per month.
- Maintenance obligations raise the protected amount: 597.42 euros for the first person and 332.83 euros for each further person.
- The part above the basic amount is garnished according to a graduated scale. The scale is set out in the annex to the official notice (in German).
- A protected account (P-Konto, in German) additionally shields the amount credited to the account.
What happens in a wage garnishment
A creditor holding an enforceable title can apply to the competent court for a garnishment and transfer order. The order goes to your employer, who acts as the third-party debtor. The employer must withhold the garnishable part of your salary and pass it on to the creditor. It cannot calculate freely; it has to apply the statutory limits.
The limits themselves follow from the German Code of Civil Procedure. The provision protecting earned income is section 850c of the ZPO (in German). The Federal Ministry of Justice publishes the currently applicable amounts in a separate notice when they change.
How high is the basic protected amount from 1 July 2026?
The notice on garnishment limits sets the amounts that apply from 1 July 2026. The overview below shows the basic figures you can work with.
| Component | Amount per month (net) | Applies from |
|---|---|---|
| Basic protected amount | 1,587.40 euros | 1 July 2026 |
| Maintenance allowance, first maintained person | 597.42 euros | 1 July 2026 |
| Maintenance allowance, each further maintained person | 332.83 euros | 1 July 2026 |
Worked example: what remains with different maintenance obligations
Assumption: your net income is 2,500 euros per month, with no further deductions or garnishments besides the one described. The example shows how the protected amount shifts with maintenance obligations. It does not replace a calculation under the table in the annex.
| Case (assumption) | Protected amount | Amount above the basic amount |
|---|---|---|
| No maintenance obligation | 1,587.40 euros | 912.60 euros |
| One maintained person | 2,184.82 euros | 315.18 euros |
| Two maintained persons | 2,517.65 euros | 0 euros, because the protected amount exceeds the income |
Important: the part above the threshold is not automatically garnished in full. The scale in the annex determines which share applies. For this reason, this guide does not state a fixed rate and refers to the official table instead.
What counts as net income?
Garnishment is based on net income. Deductions such as income tax and social security contributions reduce the basis before the garnishment table is applied. Certain benefits such as child benefit or social benefits follow their own rules and are not simply part of the salary.
For this reason, your payslip is a good starting point. It shows which amounts were deducted. Comparing the payslip with the garnishment order helps you see quickly whether the employer applied the limits correctly.
Frequently asked questions about wage garnishment
Can the employer withhold more than allowed?
No. The employer must observe the garnishment limits. If a deduction seems too high, first check the payslip and your information on maintenance obligations. If something does not add up, the competent enforcement court or a debt advice service can help.
Does a P-Konto also help with wage garnishment?
A protected account shields amounts credited to it up to a statutory basic amount. It does not replace the calculation at the employer, but it protects the money after the transfer. The German guide on setting up a P-Konto explains how to open one.
Does garnishment also apply to a part-time job?
The limits apply to earned income in general. What matters is that the income comes from an employment relationship and that your employer processes the payment. Students with several sources of income should keep a precise list of all incoming payments.
What do I do if the garnishment seems too high?
First check the calculation on the payslip and your information on maintenance obligations. The competent court or a debt advice service can help you next. Comparing the deduction with the table in the annex shows whether it matches the rules.
Common misunderstandings about wage garnishment
- Garnishment does not apply to the gross salary. What counts is the amount that reaches your account after deductions.
- A basic protected amount does not mean that a sum stays protected automatically. The scale above the threshold decides the rest.
- A maintenance obligation only has an effect if it exists and has been reported to the employer. Without a report, the allowance is not increased.
- A move, a change of job or a pay rise changes the calculation. The new payslip is therefore always the starting point.
The last point is often underestimated. If you have a new employer, check whether an existing garnishment order is still applied correctly. Documents on maintenance obligations should also be current and complete, because they determine the amount that is protected.
If you are unsure, collect the payslips of the last few months, the documents on maintenance obligations and the garnishment order in one place. With these papers, any advice can be far quicker and more precise.
When is a careful check worthwhile?
A careful check is worthwhile whenever income, maintenance obligations or the employer change. A new garnishment order or an unusually low payout also justifies a look at the calculation. The figures in the table in the annex are the reliable benchmark here, not an estimate.
What to do now
- Check your latest payslip and note your net income.
- Establish whether you pay maintenance, for how many people, and which evidence you have.
- Compare these figures with the allowances in the notice and the scale in the annex.
- If a garnishment order exists, check the deadline and its content, and seek debt advice early.
Related reading
- Pfändungsfreigrenze 2026: Was auf deinem Konto geschützt bleibt (in German): link
- P-Konto einrichten: Schritt für Schritt zum geschützten Konto (in German): link
- Gerichtsvollzieher vor der Tür: Was du bei einer Kontopfändung tust (in German): link
- Geld, Konto und Kredit: Der Überblick für junge Erwachsene (in German): link
Sources: Notice on garnishment limits from 1 July 2026, Federal Ministry of Justice (German), accessed November 2026; Section 850c ZPO (German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
