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Minimum wage 2026: This is how much you will earn in Germany in the future!
Find out about the developments in the minimum wage in Germany until 2026, including historical adjustments and their effects.
Minimum wage 2026: This is how much you will earn in Germany in the future!
On December 26, 2025, the signs point to change in Germany - especially when it comes to the minimum wage. A lot has happened since it was introduced under Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in 2015. Let's remember: In October 2022, the minimum wage was increased to 12 euros. This decision not only raised wages for many workers, but also reignited the debate about the value of work. Olaf Scholz (SPD) placed the minimum wage at the center of his election campaign and called for more “respect” for citizens. But not everyone was convinced. Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasized in an interview that there would be “no legal automatism” for the next increase.
The development of the minimum wage is not arbitrary. Above a certain level, which is based on the national median wage, the aim is to ensure that fewer people have to live in poverty. Another crucial aspect is that the average wage in Germany acts as a compensating factor. The statutory minimum wage is set by the Minimum Wage Commission, which makes its decisions based on suggestions from collective bargaining partners. This commission is appointed every five years and consists of different representatives.
Past developments at a glance
Since the introduction of the statutory minimum wage in 2015, which was initially 8.50 euros gross per hour, adjustments have been made continuously. A look at the last few years shows:
| Year | Minimum wager in euros |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 8.50 |
| 2021 | 9.60 |
| 2022 | 12.00 |
| 2025 | 12.82 |
Next year, 2026, the minimum wage is expected to continue to rise, giving many people hope that the situation for low-income earners will continue to improve.
Impact on the world of work
The introduction of the minimum wage has already brought about some positive changes in the world of work. What is particularly noteworthy is that since 2015, around 4 million people have been protected by the Minimum Wage Act, while 1.5 million are excluded due to exemptions. The analysis by the Federal Statistical Office shows that many of these people were previously threatened by low wages. The economic impact is generally viewed as positive, as fears of massive job losses as a result of the wage increase have not materialized.
However, there are still challenges. From the insufficient staffing of the customs authorities to control the minimum wage to unclear regulations when recording wage components - there is still a lot of room for improvement here. Critics also draw attention to the fact that the starting value of the minimum wage is perceived as too low to avoid an increase in basic security benefits.
To plan the next step for the minimum wage, the Minimum Wage Commission will meet again on June 26, 2023 to assess developments and make possible adjustments. The debate over the level of the minimum wage remains controversial, and many employees are keeping their fingers crossed that the changes will continue to be in favor of employees.
So it remains to be seen how wages will develop in the coming year - one thing is certain: the discussion about fair income will continue to concern us.