What was the minimum wage in Germany in 2026?

Germany maintains its upward trajectory as a reference in quality of life and professional appreciation in Europe. Since January 1, 2026, the German minimum wage has reached €13.90 per hour, setting a new standard for workers in the country. The best way to take advantage of this salary scenario is through a study program, which allows you to work legally while building a solid international career.

As an international student in Germany, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during holidays, receiving the minimum wage. This means a monthly income of approximately €1,112 which complements your studies and also provides valuable professional experience in the German market.

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New salary level in 2026

The German government set the gross minimum wage at €13.90 per hour as of January 2026. Working a standard workday of 40 hours per week, this results in approximately €2,409 monthly or €28.908 annually. The increase represents an increase of 8.43% compared to €12.82/hour in 2025, demonstrating the country's commitment to the continuous valuation of the labor force.

More than a simple adjustment, the government has already announced a new adjustment scheduled for 2027, when the amount will reach €14.60 per hour. This represents a total growth of 13.88% in just two years, consolidating Germany among the countries with the best minimum wages in Europe.

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Three routes to live and work in Germany

As an international student, you have three main routes to enter the German education system and work legally in the country. Each one offers specific advantages and is adapted to different profiles, objectives and moments of life.

All three routes allow you to work legally while studying, receiving the minimum wage of €13.90 per hour. The difference lies in the focus of the course, costs involved, length of the program, and short and long-term objectives.

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Route 1: Start studying languages in Germany

The first and most accessible route is Study a language in Germany, whether German or English. This modality is ideal for those who want to have a first international experience, develop fluency in the language while working, and then decide if they want to pursue a degree.

How it works:

• Intensive German course: 20-25 hours of class per week, levels A1 to C1
• English course: Available for those who want to improve their English before entering a private university
• Flexible duration: From 12 weeks to 1 year or more
• Work permit: 20 hours a week during the course, full-time during holidays
• Minimum requirements: Complete high school education, without the need for prior proficiency

Advantages of this route:

• Fastest and most affordable entry into Germany
• Develop fluency in the language while living in the country
• It allows you to work and cover part of the expenses
• Complete cultural immersion experience
• Ideal preparation to then enter a public or private university
• Flexibility to extend the course as needed

Route 2: Study German and access free public universities

The second route involves developing fluency in German (levels B2 or C1) and entering German public universities, which are free. This path requires more language preparation but offers significant savings in tuition fees and access to the full German education system.

To follow this route, you can start learning German online still in Brazil or go straight to Germany to take a language course. After that:

• Studienkolleg: Compulsory preparatory course for those who do not have the German Abitur (equivalent to our high school). It lasts 1 year and prepares you specifically for your chosen field of study (technology, medicine, humanities, etc.)
• Public universities: After completing the Studienkolleg or if you already have an accepted language certification, you enter the public university directly
• Zero monthly cost: You only pay a biannual fee of €200-350, which already includes public transport
• Broad access to the market: With fluent German, you compete for 100% of the vacancies available in the local market

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Route 3: study in English and enter private universities

The third route allows you to focus directly on an undergraduate or graduate degree, studying in English at German private universities. Institutions such as the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, GISMA University, and Berlin School of Business and Innovation offer complete programs in English.

This route requires:

• English certification: IELTS (minimum 6.0-6.5), TOEFL iBT (minimum 80 points) or Duolingo English Test
• Faster preparation: If you already have intermediate English, you can start your university studies quickly
• Direct entry: No need for Studienkolleg, you enter the university program directly
• International networking: Multicultural classes with students from dozens of countries

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Which route to choose for your journey

The choice between the three routes depends on your profile, available resources, objectives and moment of life. If you want to start quickly, have an international experience and haven't decided to go to university yet, the language course route is perfect as a first step.

If you have time to invest in language preparation and are looking for maximum savings in university tuition, the route of public universities with German is ideal. If you want to start an undergraduate degree quickly and you already have resources for tuition fees, the route of private universities in English may be more suitable. With the Study and Work program in Germany, you receive personalized guidance to choose the best route for your profile.

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Blocked account: what is it and what is it for

A blocked account (blocked German account) is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a student visa in Germany. This is a special bank account where you deposit €11,904 before traveling, the amount established by the German government as the minimum necessary to cover your living expenses during 1 year in the country.

This amount is not a payment or fee, but rather a deposit that belongs to you. The difference is that you can't withdraw everything at once. Upon your arrival in Germany, you receive monthly automatic releases of €992, ensuring that resources will be distributed in a balanced manner throughout the year.

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Why does the German government require this

The German government created this mechanism as a way to protect international students and ensure that no one is left financially helpless in the country. A blocked account is used to:

Proof on the visa:

• Demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to support yourself
• It is one of the essential documents reviewed by the German embassy
• Without it, your student visa will be denied

Financial protection:

• It prevents you from spending all the money in the first few months
• Guarantees €992 monthly for your basic expenses (housing, food, transportation)
• It works as an “insurance” that you will have resources throughout the year

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How does a blocked account work in practice

You can also open an account in Brazil through authorized banks such as Fintiba or Expatrio, which offer specific services for international students. The process is 100% digital and takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

After depositing the €11,904, you receive a blocking certificate that you present at the embassy along with the other visa documents. Once in Germany, the €992 automatically falls into your account every month. importantly: this amount combined with your part-time work income (€1,112 working 20 hours a week) results in approximately €2,104 monthly, more than enough to live comfortably as a student.

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How international students take advantage of the minimum wage

As an international student in Germany (whether in a language course or university), you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the term, earning €13.90 per hour. This results in approximately €1,112 monthly that add up to the blocked account's €992, totaling around €2,104 per month.

During academic holidays (approximately 3-4 months a year), you can work full time, earning up to €2,409 monthly. This possibility goes beyond the financial aspect:

• Valuable international professional experience in your CV
• Networking with professionals from the local German market
• Development of language skills in a real environment
• Possibility of taking effect after completing the course
• Portfolio construction and professional references in Germany

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Beyond the minimum wage: prospects after graduation

Although the minimum wage is relevant during studies, the average compensation in the country after graduation presents much more attractive values. The average gross salary exceeds €52,000 per year, corresponding to approximately €4,333 per month.

The net salary, the one that actually reaches your account, is around €30,000 to €31,000 annually. Discounts include:

• Compulsory health insurance
• Social security contribution
• Unemployment insurance
• Progressive income tax

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Sectors and their remuneration

The German market presents significant variations between different professional areas. Knowing these averages helps with career planning and choosing a university course.

Sectors with the highest salaries:

• Medical area: Physicians and surgeons (€95,000+), pharmacists (€58,000)
• Banking sector: Investments and asset management (€65,000+)
• Information Technology: Developers and security experts (€60,000+)
• Aerospace engineering: Average of €58,000 per year
• Science and research: Researchers receive around €57,500
• Transportation and logistics: Average of €39.000 per year

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What influences your compensation

The German market has a complex wage structure, where several factors can significantly increase your compensation. Professionals with specialized university or technical training tend to receive values that are substantially above average, especially in strategic sectors.

Geographic location plays a decisive role. Large economic centers offer:

• Munich: Technological and industrial hub with salaries 15-20% above average
• Frankfurt: European financial center, finance specialists receive up to 25% more
• Hamburg: Port and international trade, strong demand in logistics
• Stuttgart: Automotive industry, highly valued engineers
• Berlin: Startups and technology, multicultural and innovative environment

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Worker protection system

In addition to basic compensation, workers in Germany have one of the most comprehensive social protection systems in the world. The benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance that covers everything from routine appointments to complex procedures, automatic retirement contributions, unemployment insurance, and an average of 30 days of paid vacation per year.

Additional benefits offered by companies:

• Food aid (Essensmarken or food stamp)
• Complementary private health plans
• Subsidized transportation voucher or company car
• Counterparted private pension programs
• Flexibility for home office (up to 3 days a week in many companies)
• Average workday of 40 hours per week

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Advantage of German in the labor market

While it is possible to study in English, mastering German multiplies your professional opportunities and significantly facilitates social integration. No German labor market, bilingual professionals (German + English) have access to positions with salaries up to 20% higher and a wider range of vacancies.

Students who choose to start with German courses or follow the public university route have competitive advantages:

• Access to 100% of vacancies in the local market (not just international companies)
• Easier networking with German professionals
• Possibility to work in traditional sectors of the economy (automotive engineering, advanced manufacturing)
• Starting salaries up to 15% higher in equivalent positions
• Deeper and faster social integration

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Comparing with other student destinations

While Germany offers an exceptional setting, other destinations also present attractive opportunities for international students. O Canada with its college programs maintains a minimum wage that ranges from CAD 15 to CAD 18 per hour depending on the province, in addition to simplified immigration programs.

A Australia stands out with the highest minimum wage worldwide, AUD 24.95 per hour, and allows students to work 48 hours a fortnight. Other competitive destinations include:

• Ireland: €13.50/hour, European technological hub with Study and work program Which allows 20 hours a week
• Aotearoa: NZD 23.50/hour, exceptional quality of life and work permit after 16 weeks Of study

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After graduation: permanence and career

Germany offers one of the most generous policies in Europe for international graduates. After completing your university studies, you are entitled to a job search visa for 18 months, during which time you can work full time without restrictions.

Once employed in your training area, you can request the Blue Card (if the annual salary is over €45,300) or regular work visa. After 5 years of continuous contribution, you can apply for permanent residence. This clear path to immigration makes Germany a strategic destination for those thinking about building a long-term life abroad.

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Future prospects and a hot market

The German market continues to show strong demand for qualified professionals in 2026. Sectors such as information technology, engineering (especially in renewable energy and automation), healthcare, data science, and industry 4.0 have open positions and rising salaries.

The aging of the German population and the scarcity of specialized labor create a favorable scenario for international students. Government policies to facilitate qualified immigration, combined with the accelerated digitalization of the economy and massive investments in sustainability, indicate that this promising scenario should continue in the coming years.

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Be Easy

A Be Easy offers full support to make your dream of studying and working in Germany a reality. With over 17 years of experience, we help you choose the best route for your profile (language course, public university in German or private university in English), selection of the ideal educational institution and all necessary documentation, including opening a blocked account. Contact us and start planning your international journey today!