Minor Work
Minimum wage rises to €13.90 per hour
Effective date: 1 January 2026 · Source: BMAS (Federal Ministry of Labour) ↗
Germany's statutory minimum wage increased to €13.90/hour on 1 January 2026 (from €12.82), and will rise again to €14.60 in 2027. Relevant for part-time work on the Opportunity Card, Werkstudent jobs and the 'comparable conditions' check for work permits.
What changed
The Minimum Wage Commission recommended a two-step increase in June 2025; the government adopted it. The 2026 step is +8.42%.
Who is affected
- Low-wage and part-time workers, students, Opportunity Card holders
What to do
If you work part-time while job-hunting, recalculate whether your hours still fit the Opportunity Card's 20h/week limit at the higher wage. Employers must update contracts.
Affected guides
Last verified: 21 July 2026