Brief answer: From January 1, 2026, the statutory minimum wage in Germany (Mindestlohn) is 13.90 euros gross per hour. From January 1, 2027, it will increase to 14.60 euros. This rate also applies to caregivers sent to work in Germany by a Polish company. A separate, higher minimum wage in the care sector (Pflegemindestlohn) primarily concerns work in German care facilities and nursing services.
In this article, we explain what these numbers mean in practice: how much it is per month, why job offers for caregivers show net monthly amounts rather than hourly rates, and what to ask before you leave to ensure your work is fairly compensated.
How much is the Minimum Wage in 2026 and 2027?
The amount of the German minimum wage is decided by a commission comprising employer and trade union representatives (Mindestlohnkommission). In 2025, it unanimously set an increase in two steps, and the government implemented it by regulation without changes.
| Period | Minimum wage (gross per hour) |
|---|
| 2025 | 12,82 € |
| from January 1, 2026 | 13,90 € |
| from January 1, 2027 | 14,60 € |
This totals nearly 14% in two years, the largest increase since the introduction of the minimum wage in Germany.
Does the Minimum Wage apply to a caregiver employed by a Polish company?
Yes. German minimum wage regulations also cover seconded workers from other EU countries, including caregivers sent to Germany with an A1 form. It doesn't matter that you sign the contract in Poland and contributions are paid to ZUS (Polish Social Insurance Institution). For work performed in Germany, at least the German minimum rate must be paid.
The judgment of the German Federal Labour Court (BAG) of 24 June 2021 (ref. 5 AZR 505/20) is also important. The case concerned a caregiver from Bulgaria who lived with a senior in Berlin. The court ruled that the minimum wage is due not only for active working time but also for on-call time (Bereitschaftsdienst), when the caregiver must be ready and respond to the needs of the cared person. Since this ruling, it is clear that hours in home care must be counted fairly, including those “on-call”.
How much is that per month? Example calculations
The hourly rate itself doesn't say much. What matters is how many working hours your contract covers. The table below shows the minimum monthly gross salary for different working hours (assuming an average of 4.33 weeks per month):
| Working hours per week | Minimum gross / month in 2026 (€13.90) | Minimum gross / month in 2027 (€14.60) |
|---|
| 30 hours | approx. 1807 € | approx. 1898 € |
| 35 hours | approx. 2108 € | approx. 2214 € |
| 40 hours | approx. 2409 € | approx. 2531 € |
This is the lower limit of the gross remuneration, not the amount you will receive in your bank account. If the contract stipulates more hours, for example due to night shifts, the minimum increases accordingly.
Why do job offers for caregivers state a net monthly amount?
In job offers for caregivers in Germany, you usually see an amount like “2200 € net per month” rather than an hourly rate. This is because caregivers primarily compare how much they will actually have left from their trip. These two numbers, the gross minimum wage per hour and the net monthly salary, are not contradictory; they merely describe the remuneration from two perspectives:
- Mindestlohn is the minimum gross rate, calculated for each hour worked according to German rules.
- The net amount in the offer is the money you receive monthly after deducting contributions and tax according to Polish rules.
EU regulations on seconded workers also state that allowances paid in connection with secondment (e.g., daily allowances) count towards remuneration, unless they are a reimbursement of actual travel, accommodation, or meal costs incurred. Therefore, when comparing offers, do not look solely at one number. Ask what the payment consists of and for how many hours of work it is calculated.
Accommodation and meals in home care are provided by the senior's family. This is not part of the amount in the offer, so you can save most of your salary. We describe in detail how much caregivers actually earn depending on language skills, experience, and type of assignment in the article How much does a caregiver for the elderly in Germany earn in 2026?
Pflegemindestlohn, or the minimum wage in the care sector
Germany also has a separate minimum wage for care workers. From July 1, 2026, it will be:
- €16.52 gross per hour for care assistants (Pflegehilfskräfte),
- €17.80 for qualified care assistants,
- €21.03 for qualified nursing staff (Pflegefachkräfte).
These rates primarily apply to employment in German nursing homes and outpatient nursing services. This is why you might find completely different “minimum” amounts for caregivers online. Some articles state the general Mindestlohn, while others provide rates from the nursing sector. If you are considering working in a German facility, good German language skills are usually required, and often also recognition of qualifications.
Who monitors compliance with the minimum wage?
Compliance with the minimum wage in Germany is monitored by customs, specifically its unit for combating illegal work (Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit, FKS). In Poland, you can lodge a complaint with the National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy). On every trip, it's worth having with you:
- a copy of the contract (employment or mandate agreement),
- A1 form,
- payslips or payment statements,
- your own notes with working hours, especially if you work at night or longer than agreed.
Keeping a simple notebook with hours costs nothing and is very valuable evidence in case of a dispute. You can read more about what a caregiver is entitled to in the article What rights does a caregiver for the elderly have in Germany?
What to ask before leaving?
Before signing a contract, ask the employer a few specific questions:
- How many working hours per week does the contract cover? Without this information, it is impossible to assess whether the rate is fair.
- How are nights and on-call duties accounted for? If the person being cared for requires help at night, this should be included in the hours and the rate.
- What does the payment consist of? Basic salary, allowances, bonuses, reimbursement of travel costs.
- What is the net amount I will receive in my account? And is it stated per month or for the entire trip.
- When and how is the remuneration paid? The date, currency, and form of payment should be specified in the contract.
At Centrum Eurokontakt, we employ caregivers directly, on an employment contract or mandate agreement, and we discuss every point of the contract with you before you leave. You can check your approximate rate and earnings for the entire trip in the caregiver earnings calculator, and specific offers with the net amount can be found in the current job offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Germany in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, the statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) is 13.90 euros gross per hour. From January 1, 2027, it will increase to 14.60 euros.
Does a Polish caregiver in Germany have to receive the German minimum wage?
Yes. The German minimum wage also applies to seconded workers from Poland, even if they sign the contract with a Polish company and have an A1 form.
Is night duty considered working time?
According to the 2021 judgment of the Federal Labour Court, on-call time, during which a caregiver must be ready to assist, is working time, and at least the minimum wage must be paid for it. The rules for night and on-call duties should be clearly described in the contract.
How much is that per month for 40 hours of work per week?
At a rate of 13.90 euros and 40 hours per week, the minimum gross remuneration is approximately 2409 euros per month. The net amount depends on the form of the contract, contributions, and tax.
What is the difference between Mindestlohn and Pflegemindestlohn?
Mindestlohn is the general minimum wage for all employees in Germany. Pflegemindestlohn is a higher minimum wage in the care sector, from July 2026 starting at 16.52 euros per hour, which primarily concerns German care facilities and outpatient nursing services.
