The statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) in Germany rises to €14.60 gross per hour on 1 January 2027, and the minijob (Minijob) threshold increases to €633 per month. If you work alongside your studies, sign your first contract or are starting your career, both figures matter, because they determine which contribution rules apply to your earnings. This guide sets out the numbers, how they are calculated and the questions people ask most often.
Short answer: From 1 January 2027, the statutory minimum wage in Germany is €14.60 gross per hour. The minijob threshold rises to €633 per month, or €7,596 per year. The minimum wage is set by the Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (Fünfte Mindestlohnanpassungsverordnung, MiLoV5), and the threshold follows from section 8 of the Social Code Book IV (SGB IV). Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points
- The minimum wage rises in 2027 from €13.90 to €14.60 gross per hour.
- The minijob threshold is €633 per month in 2027, compared with €603 in 2026.
- The threshold is calculated from the minimum wage, so it changes whenever the wage does.
- Above €633 the transition zone begins, which ends at €2,000 per month.
- Students also have to consider BAföG, family insurance and tax, each of which has its own rules.
What is the minimum wage in 2027?
The minimum wage is adjusted through an ordinance. The Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance sets a minimum wage of €14.60 gross per hour for 2027. It is based on a proposal from the Minimum Wage Commission dated 27 June 2025. The table compares the two stages:
| Valid from | Minimum wage, gross per hour | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | €13.90 | MiLoV5 |
| 1 January 2027 | €14.60 | MiLoV5 |
Last updated: November 2026. The official text of the ordinance is authoritative. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs answers questions on individual cases, see the ordinance page.
How is the 2027 minijob threshold calculated?
The minijob threshold is not a separate political figure. Under section 8 SGB IV it follows from the minimum wage: the wage is multiplied by 130, divided by 3 and rounded up to the next whole euro. The calculation for both years looks like this:
| Year | Minimum wage | Calculation | Threshold per month | Threshold per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €13.90 | 13.90 × 130 ÷ 3 = 602.33 | €603 | €7,236 |
| 2027 | €14.60 | 14.60 × 130 ÷ 3 = 632.67 | €633 | €7,596 |
The annual figures are the monthly figure multiplied by 12. Because of the rounding, the threshold sits slightly above the raw result. If earnings exceed the limit unexpectedly, the rules allow up to twice the threshold, which is €1,266 in 2027, in no more than two calendar months per calendar year (section 8 subsection 1b SGB IV).
What applies above the minijob threshold?
If your regular earnings exceed €633 but stay at or below €2,000 per month, you are in the transition zone, the so-called Midijob. Under section 20 subsection 2 SGB IV this zone begins above the earnings limit for marginal employment, which means from €633.01 in 2027. Different contribution rules apply in this zone than in a minijob. The overview below shows the categories:
| Monthly earnings 2027 | Category |
|---|---|
| up to €633 | Minijob (marginal employment) |
| €633.01 to €2,000 | Transition zone (Midijob) |
| above €2,000 | regular employment subject to social insurance |
What does this mean for students with a side job?
For students, further thresholds apply beside the minijob limit, for example under BAföG (the German student financing scheme) and in family insurance. The details for students are in a separate article, Minijob Limit 2027 for Students (in German). This overview only lists figures that apply to all employees. An example shows how quickly the transition zone is reached:
Assumption: in 2027 you work 40 hours a month on average at the minimum wage of €14.60. You then earn €584 and stay below the threshold. At 44 hours you earn €642.40, which places you in the transition zone. Use these steps to check your side job:
- Take the hourly wage and the agreed number of hours from your employment contract.
- Multiply your monthly pay at unchanged hours and compare it with €633.
- Watch for additional shifts, because they can push you over the limit for a short period.
- Ask your employer from which month the new minimum wage will be paid.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minimum wage also apply to students with a side job?
The statutory minimum wage generally applies to all employees, including students with a part-time job. Whether a particular activity is excluded depends on its nature, for example certain internships. The exceptions are set out in the Minimum Wage Act, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs provides information.
What happens if my earnings once exceed €633?
One month above the threshold does not automatically change a minijob. What counts is regular earnings. An unforeseeable excess is only permitted within the limited scope described above. If you are unsure, your employer should clarify the payroll with the Minijob-Zentrale.
Does the minijob threshold also change my family insurance?
Family insurance in the statutory health insurance scheme has its own income limits under section 10 SGB V, and a special rule applies to minijobs there. The exact figures for 2027 are best checked in the law and with your health insurer before you increase your hours.
Must my employer apply the increase automatically?
Yes. The statutory minimum wage is a floor that applies regardless of what the employment contract says. An agreed hourly wage below €14.60 is replaced by the minimum wage from 1 January 2027. Check your payslips from January 2027 and raise any discrepancy with your employer directly.
What to do now
- Note your current hourly wage and your average number of hours.
- Calculate your expected monthly pay at €14.60 per hour.
- Compare the result with €633 and classify yourself as minijob, transition zone or regular employment.
- Ask your employer to confirm from when the new wage is paid.
- Check the effects on BAföG and health insurance before you take on more hours.
Related articles
- What changes in 2027? The full overview of all key dates
- Minijob Limit 2027 for Students (in German)
- Minijob or Student Job: Limits in Figures Compared
- Side job and tax: what applies to minijobs and student jobs (in German)
- What is decided for 2027 and what is only planned? The status check (in German)
Sources: Section 8 SGB IV, marginal employment (last updated: November 2026) (in German); Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (last updated: November 2026) (in German); Minijob threshold 2027, Minijob-Zentrale (last updated: November 2026) (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
