Since January 1, 2025, the statutory minimum wage has been 12.82 euros per hour. Employees in Germany are generally entitled to payment of wages in the amount of this minimum gross wage.
The statutory minimum wage was introduced in 2015. As stipulated in the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG), it is adjusted on a regular basis. The legislator has set up a permanent, independent minimum wage commission to adjust the minimum wage. The commission last decided to adjust the minimum wage for the fourth time on June 26, 2023. You can access all adjustment decisions here.
When deciding on the adjustment of the minimum wage, the Minimum Wage Commission examines in an overall assessment which level of the minimum wage is suitable to contribute to an appropriate protection of employees, to enable fair and functioning competitive conditions and not to jeopardize employment.
Furthermore, the Minimum Wage Commission has the statutory mandate (Section 9 (4) MiLoG) to continuously assess the effects of the minimum wage on the protection of employees, on competitive conditions and employment in connection with certain sectors and regions as well as on productivity. The Commission submits its findings to the Federal Government every two years in a report.
The Minimum Wage Commission is reappointed every five years in accordance with Section 4 (2) MiLoG. It consists of a chairperson, six permanent members with voting rights from among the social partners and two advisory members from academia without voting rights. The work of the members of the Minimum Wage Commission is honorary.
