Starting January 2026, Germany’s minimum wage will rise to €13.90 per hour, bringing not only higher earnings but also new rules and responsibilities—particularly for the country’s 6.6 million mini-jobbers. The increase, announced by the independent Minimum Wage Commission, will affect a wide swath of workers, including students, pensioners, and part-time employees who rely on mini-jobs for supplemental income.

Currently set at €12.82, the minimum wage will jump to €13.90 in 2026 and further increase to €14.60 in 2027. With this change, the monthly income cap for mini-jobs—jobs exempt from most social security contributions—will also rise, moving from the current limit to €603 per month in 2026 and €633 in 2027. This equates to roughly 43 working hours per month.

The new thresholds are calculated using the formula: minimum wage × 130 ÷ 3, and rounded down to the nearest euro.

Women in particular are expected to benefit: Around 20% of female-held jobs will see wage increases compared to 14% of male-held positions, according to estimates by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office.

Caution for Employers

While the wage hike is good news for workers, employers must tread carefully. If an employee’s earnings exceed the mini-job limit, the role is automatically reclassified as a regular job subject to full social security contributions. This can raise the true cost of employment to around €18 per hour once taxes and fees are included.

Employers who rely heavily on mini-jobbers or exceed the 43-hour limit may find it more efficient to consider “midijobs” or full part-time contracts, which offer better long-term stability and benefits like paid leave.