What changes in 2027 for students? Most of the key changes take effect on 1 January 2027, and some only later in the year. For students they mainly concern minijobs, BAföG (German federal training assistance), health insurance and retirement provision. This overview separates what has been passed from what is still in the legislative process, and shows which dates matter for you.
Short answer: From 1 January 2027 the statutory minimum wage rises to 14.60 euros gross per hour, and the minijob earnings limit rises to 633 euros per month. The BAföG reform is a government draft bill (Bundestag printed paper 21/8405) and not yet law. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The minimum wage rises from 13.90 to 14.60 euros gross per hour on 1 January 2027.
- The minijob limit rises from 603 to 633 euros per month, because it is calculated from the minimum wage.
- The retirement savings account (Altersvorsorgedepot) has been passed and is expected to start on 1 January 2027.
- The BAföG reform is a government draft in the Bundestag. Its new rates only apply after promulgation.
- The average additional contribution for health insurance in 2027 is an estimate of 2.9 percent. The rate set by your health insurer applies.
- A mandatory building-contents natural hazard insurance is under discussion. No law has been passed.
How much can you earn in a minijob as a student?
The minijob limit is the monthly earnings threshold for marginal employment (geringfügige Beschäftigung). It is not set separately but derived from the minimum wage: minimum wage times 130, divided by 3, rounded up to the next whole euro (§ 8 para. 1a SGB IV). The limit therefore follows every increase in the minimum wage.
For 2027 this gives 14.60 euros times 130, divided by 3, which is 632.67 euros, rounded up to 633 euros. The annual limit is 7,596 euros (633 euros times 12).
| Item | 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage per hour | 13.90 euros | 14.60 euros |
| Minijob limit per month | 603 euros | 633 euros |
| Minijob limit per year | 7,236 euros | 7,596 euros |
| Hours per month up to the limit (limit divided by minimum wage) | about 43.4 | about 43.4 |
Assumption: in January 2027 you earn 14.60 euros per hour and work 43 hours a month. You then earn 627.80 euros and stay below the limit. Under § 8 para. 1b SGB IV, an unforeseeable exceedance is only permitted in at most two calendar months per calendar year and up to double the limit.
How the minimum wage affects other employment is covered in What changes in 2027 for work and pay?.
What changes for BAföG in 2027?
The planned BAföG reform is the 30th amendment to the BAföG law. The government draft is printed as Bundestag paper 21/8405 of 7 October 2026. The first reading took place on 15 October 2026. The second and third readings and the handling in the Bundesrat are still pending. Until promulgation, the current rates apply.
Among other things, the draft provides for a higher health insurance surcharge for BAföG recipients, rising in stages. These amounts appear in the draft and have not been adopted.
| Health insurance surcharge, monthly amount | Current law | Draft from 1 April 2027 | Draft from 1 August 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health insurance (compulsory members) | 102 euros | 121 euros | 124 euros |
| Long-term care insurance (compulsory members) | 35 euros | 39 euros | 40 euros |
The source of the draft figures is Bundestag paper 21/8405. A further stage from 2029 is also in the draft but applies only later.
Does health insurance for students change in 2027?
According to the Schätzerkreis (the working group that estimates contribution figures) of 13 and 14 October 2026, the average additional contribution for 2027 is 2.9 percent on a calculated basis. The official determination by the Federal Ministry of Health is announced for early November 2026. The additional contribution of your health insurer may differ from the average.
Contributions for students are calculated on a monthly reference amount of 855 euros (§ 236 SGB V). The general contribution rate is 14.6 percent, and students pay seven tenths of it, which is an effective 10.22 percent (§ 245 SGB V). The insurer’s own additional contribution comes on top.
| Component (example with average rate) | Amount 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution without additional contribution | 87.38 euros | Official figure, GKV-Spitzenverband |
| Additional contribution at 2.9 percent | 24.80 euros | Average figure, assumption |
| Total health insurance contribution | 112.18 euros | Calculated value, not insurer-specific |
If the additional contribution is raised, a special right of termination applies. You can terminate by the end of the month from which the additional contribution is first charged or raised. The twelve-month minimum binding period then does not apply (§ 175 para. 4 sentence 6 SGB V). The overview on health insurance in 2027 explains the contribution questions.
What has been passed for 2027 and what is only planned?
The table below separates the points by legislative status. The status is as of November 2026 in each case.
| Topic | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage of 14.60 euros | Passed (Fifth Minimum Wage Ordinance) | November 2026 |
| Minijob limit of 633 euros | Follows from the minimum wage (§ 8 SGB IV) | from 1 January 2027 |
| Retirement savings account | Passed, start expected on 1 January 2027 | November 2026 |
| BAföG reform | Government draft in the Bundestag, not yet adopted | November 2026 |
| Additional contribution 2027 | Estimate of 2.9 percent, official determination announced | November 2026 |
| Natural hazard insurance | Under discussion, no draft bill | November 2026 |
What applies to the retirement savings account for students?
The Altersvorsorgedepot is a new, state-supported form of private retirement provision. The Bundestag passed it on 27 March 2026, and the Bundesrat approved it on 8 May 2026. The start is planned for 1 January 2027, though this date is expected rather than confirmed.
| Allowance | Riester, current law | Retirement savings account, passed |
|---|---|---|
| Basic allowance per year, at most | 175 euros (§ 84 EStG) | 540 euros |
| Calculation of the basic allowance | Fixed amount | 50 cents per euro up to 360 euros of own contribution, then 25 cents per euro up to 1,800 euros |
Assumption: you pay in 1,200 euros per year. The basic allowance is then 180 euros (50 percent of 360 euros) plus 210 euros (25 percent of 840 euros), a total of 390 euros.
Whether a contract suits you depends on your income, your minijob and your goals. A personal assessment is available from Academycon, see How we work (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Does the higher minijob limit already apply in January 2027?
Yes. The limit of 633 euros applies from 1 January 2027, because the minimum wage rises to 14.60 euros on that date. The calculation follows § 8 SGB IV. In practice, the pay for the relevant calendar month counts.
Is the BAföG reform for 2027 still open?
Yes. The government draft is not yet law. Changes apply only after adoption and promulgation. Until then, the current rates remain in force. Your application is handled by the BAföG office of your Studierendenwerk (student services organisation).
How does the 2027 additional contribution affect my health insurance cost?
The additional contribution depends on the rate of your health insurer. The 2.9 percent estimate is an average figure. Whether and how your insurer changes its rate is shown in its notification.
Do I have to decide on a retirement savings account now?
No. The status of the reform does not set a personal deadline for you. Whether a contract pays off depends on your situation. Compare costs, investment options and guarantees before you sign.
What happens if the minijob limit is exceeded?
If the limit is exceeded regularly, the marginal employment no longer applies and social insurance contributions become due. Unforeseeable exceedances are possible only within the limits set out in § 8 para. 1b SGB IV.
Is a natural hazard insurance requirement already in force?
No. Such a requirement is under discussion, and no law has been passed. The Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Finance are responsible for legislation. The timetable is published by these ministries.
What to do now
- Check your minijob contract and your pay from January 2027 against the limit of 633 euros.
- Follow the progress of the BAföG reform in the Bundestag until the second and third readings take place.
- After the official determination, check the additional contribution of your health insurer before you change any contracts.
- Before opening a retirement savings account, compare costs and providers and consider getting advice.
Related articles
- What changes in 2027? The full overview with all key dates
- What changes in 2027 for new graduates?
- What has been passed for 2027 and what is only planned? (in German)
- What changes in January 2027?
- BAföG rates 2026/27: figures, allowances and limits
- Minijob or student job: limits in figures compared
Sources: § 8 SGB IV, marginal employment (status: October 2026); Fifth Minimum Wage Ordinance, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (status: 2026); Bundestag paper 21/8405, 30th BAföG amendment act (status: 7 October 2026); Bundesrat paper 206/26, retirement provision (status: 2026); § 175 SGB V (current version).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
