The statutory minimum wage in Germany has applied to almost all employees since 2015. It is set by the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG) and adjusted regularly by the Minimum Wage Commission. In 2026 it sits at 13.90 euros gross per hour.
Limited exceptions apply to interns in mandatory placements during studies or training, apprentices, the long-term unemployed during the first six months of employment, and volunteer workers. In sectors covered by industry-specific minimum wages (such as care, building cleaning or construction), hourly rates are noticeably higher and are negotiated separately.
The minimum wage is always a gross figure per hour actually worked – flat-rate arrangements or counting tips against the wage are not permitted. For job seekers, the minimum wage is mainly a floor; roles covered by collective agreements typically sit well above it.
Lunigi curates mainly qualification-focused roles that are usually paid significantly above the minimum-wage floor.