How working in Germany changes in 2026

Minimum wage will rise to €13.90 per hour; pensioners can earn up to €2,000 tax-free, and more changes are coming in 2026.

Transcript

00:00Here are six points to keep in mind if you want to work in Germany next year.

00:03The minimum wage per hour will rise by 8% to 13 euros and 90 cents.

00:08If you work 40 hours per week, that's about 2,400 per month before taxes and deductions.

00:13Talking taxes, Germany is starting to digitalize their tax notification system.

00:17This will mean less paper in the future.

00:21But still, keep an eye on your mailbox.

00:23There's also news about mini-jobs, a special type of employment in Germany

00:27where you usually don't pay taxes as long as your monthly income stays below a certain limit.

00:32And that limit has now increased to 603 euros.

00:36And if you continue working beyond retirement age,

00:38you won't pay taxes on anything you earn up to 2,000 euros.

00:42Germany wants to make it easier for skilled workers coming from abroad.

00:45To do this, they are setting up a new central agency to help with recruitment.

00:49And finally, driver's licenses could become cheaper.

00:52It's on the government's agenda and if approved,

00:54there will be fewer training drives, less bureaucracy and shorter test times.

00:58So what do you think of these changes?