Overview
- From 1 January 2026 the statutory minimum wage moves to €13.90 per hour, with a further rise to €14.60 set for 2027.
- The Minijob monthly earnings limit increases to €603 in 2026 and €633 in 2027 under the legal formula, affecting about 7 million workers and applying automatically to existing contracts for those over 18.
- Many low-paid workers are expected to see roughly €50 more per month in take-home pay depending on hours and tax situation.
- Employers flag higher personnel costs, plan price adjustments and further automation, and economists caution that low-margin sectors could face job losses.
- Related 2026 shifts include raising the general annual income threshold for statutory insurance to €77,400 and introducing the Aktivrente that lets retirees earn up to €2,000 per month tax-free.