Germany Unpacked – Practical Guides for Expats in Germany

Minijob in Germany (2026): Income Limit, “Tax-Free” Explained & What Expats Need to Know

This guide is written for expats, foreigners and international students in Germany. It focuses on what you actually need: income limits, typical hours, taxes in plain English, and what happens if you exceed the Minijob threshold.

1) What is a Minijob?

A Minijob is a form of marginal employment. Under German labor law, it is basically a normal part-time job. The “special” part is social security: Minijobs follow different rules than standard employment.

Germany distinguishes between two types of marginal employment:

• Income-based Minijob (most common): your pay stays within a monthly earnings cap.
• Short-term employment: limited to 70 working days or 3 months per calendar year.

This article focuses on the income-based Minijob, because that’s what most people mean in everyday life.

2) How much can you earn in 2026?

Since 1 January 2026, the Minijob earnings cap is €603/month, with an annual cap of €7,236. The limit is linked to the statutory minimum wage, so it automatically changes when the minimum wage changes.

3) How many hours can you work?

The €603 limit is designed around roughly 10 hours per week at minimum wage. With a minimum wage of €13.90/hour, that comes out to about 43 hours per month.

4) Is a Minijob really “tax-free”?

Many people describe Minijobs as “tax-free” — and in practice, they often feel that way. However, the income is technically taxable. The reason it often looks tax-free is that employers usually use a simple payroll setup.

Your employer generally chooses one of these approaches:

• 2% flat-rate tax (simple for employers)
• Taxed via your tax class (your personal situation matters)

In many everyday situations (especially if you have no other German income), wage tax can be very low or zero.

5) Social security: the big difference

For expats and students, this is the part that matters most. Minijobs typically do not give you the same level of protection as standard jobs. Most importantly: health insurance is usually not provided through a Minijob. You often need separate coverage (student insurance, family insurance, or private).

Pension contributions exist in Minijobs, but there can be an opt-out option. A rule change is expected from July 2026 that allows reversing an opt-out once.

6) What happens if you exceed €603?

If you exceed the limit regularly, the job usually becomes subject to social security (often as a Midijob). If your pay fluctuates, the key is whether you stay within the annual cap of €7,236.

There is also a limited exception for occasional and unforeseeable exceedances: you can exceed the cap in up to two months, and those months should not exceed €1,206.

7) Multiple Minijobs: can you have more than one?

Yes — but Minijobs are usually added together. Your combined income must still stay under €603/month. If the combined total exceeds the limit, the jobs may become subject to social security.

Always inform your employer if you have another job. Employers are expected to check whether the limits are exceeded.

8) Your rights as a Minijobber

A Minijob is a normal job under German labor law. This means you generally have rights such as:

• Minimum wage (2026: €13.90/hour)
• Paid vacation
• Continued pay during illness (if requirements are met)
• Equal treatment (collective agreements may apply)

Ask for a written contract (or written terms) and keep your payslips. Avoid undeclared work (“cash jobs”) — it’s risky and you lose protection.

Disclaimer: This is general information for 2026. Individual situations can differ (e.g., multiple jobs, student status, residence requirements).