Germany Raises Minimum Wage to €13.90 Effective 2026

Germany has announced an increase in its statutory minimum wage to €13.90 gross per hour, effective January 1, 2026, as reported by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. This new rate replaces the previous minimum wage and is set to rise again to €14.60 gross per hour starting January 1, 2027.

The minimum wage applies to all employees working in Germany, regardless of nationality or job scope, including part-time workers, seasonal workers, and foreign employees. Employers are required to pay the minimum wage by the agreed due date, which is no later than the last banking day of the month following the work period.

However, five categories of workers are exempt from this wage increase: employees under 18 who have not completed vocational training, long-term unemployed workers for the first six months of their new job, interns on mandatory placements, interns on voluntary placements accompanying vocational training or university studies, and interns on orientation internships lasting no more than three months.