Overview

• From January 1, 2026 the minimum wage increases to €13.90 per hour, then to €14.60 in 2027, pushing the Minijob earnings ceilings to €603 and €633 per month respectively.
• Because the cap is linked to the minimum wage, the typical workload stays near 43 hours per month at the legal minimum (about 43.4 hours in both 2026 and 2027).
• Up to two exceptional months per year may reach as high as double the monthly limit without losing Minijob status, allowing up to €1,206 in each of two months in 2026 if properly documented and the annual limit is respected.
• Retirees at regular retirement age have had no earnings limit since 2023, and Minijob pay is generally received without employee deductions unless the worker contributes to pension insurance, which can add roughly €5 per month to future benefits for a year of Minijob work at prior levels.
• Employers must update payrolls for January 2026, review scheduled hours to avoid breaching the new ceiling, record any exception months, and keep written employee requests for pension-contribution exemptions on file.