New minimum wage from January 2024
The statutory minimum wage per hour in Germany has been raised. Since January 1, 2024, this has been 12.41 euros. This applies regardless of how many hours someone works. This means that the minimum wage also applies to mini-jobs.
What are the exceptions to the minimum wage?
The minimum wage does not apply to:
- Young people under the age of 18 without completed vocational training.
- Apprentices (regardless of age) as part of vocational training.
- Long-term unemployed during the first six months of their employment after becoming unemployed.
- Interns and trainees, if the internship is a compulsory part of a school or university course or if the internship is voluntary and lasts up to three months and serves as orientation for an apprenticeship.
- Teenagers, who participate in a Entry qualification as preparation for vocational training or other vocational training preparation in accordance with the Vocational Training Act.
- Volunteers.
Minimum wage for trainees
As described above, trainees are excluded from the statutory minimum wage. Nevertheless, there is a minimum training allowance. As of January 2024, this amounts to:
- 649 euros in the 1st year of training;
- 766 euros in the 2nd year of training;
- 876 euros in the 3rd year of training;
- 909 euros in the 4th year of training;
When will the minimum wage be increased further?
A further increase will take place on January 1, 2025, when the Minimum Wage Commission has decided on an increase to 12.82 euros.
