Minijob Guide in Germany 2025
A Minijob is a form of marginal employment with low income or short duration that does not exceed a legally defined maximum limit (§ 8 SGB IV).
The purpose is to offer flexible work opportunities while simplifying tax and social security procedures for both employees and employers. (minijob-zentrale.de)
| Type | Definition | Duration / Income |
|---|---|---|
| Income-based Minijob (geringfügig entlohnte Beschäftigung) | Ongoing employment with monthly earnings below the legal threshold | Monthly income limit 2025: 556 € |
| Short-term Minijob (kurzfristige Beschäftigung) | Seasonal or temporary work not exceeding 3 months or 70 working days per calendar year | No income cap, but the job must not be your “regular main occupation” |
(Minijob Magazin, kbs.de)
Since 1 January 2025, the Minijob limit has been linked to the statutory minimum wage (12.82 €/hour):
Raised from 538 € to 556 € per month
Equals 6,672 € per year
In practice, this is about 43 hours per month (roughly 10 hours per week) at minimum wage
(Die Techniker, Haufe.de News und Fachwissen)
| Payer | Health insurance¹ | Pension | Taxes | Total employer burden² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer (commercial) | 13 % | 15 % | 2 % flat-rate tax | Up to approx. 31.47 % |
| Employee | — | 3.6 % (exemption upon request) | — | — |
¹ No health insurance contribution is due if the employee is insured in another EU country or covered via family insurance.
² On top of this, from 2025 the following apply:
About 1.1–1.3 % Umlage U1 (reimbursement of continued pay in case of illness)
0.22 % Umlage U2 (reimbursement in case of maternity)
(Minijob Magazin, minijob-zentrale.de)
Note:
For household-based Minijobs under the Haushaltsscheck scheme, the rates are significantly lower: the total burden for the private household employer is around 14.9 %. (Minijob Magazin, minijob-zentrale.de)
Minijobbers have almost the same labour rights as regular employees:
Minimum wage: at least 12.82 €/hour, also in Minijobs – paying less is illegal.
Paid annual leave: according to the Federal Vacation Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz), proportionate to days/hours worked.
Continued pay in case of illness: after 4 weeks of continuous employment.
Accident insurance: mandatory coverage via the competent Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurer).
Documentation: written contract or at least a written record of working conditions within one month (Nachweisgesetz), plus monthly payslips.
(Die Techniker)
The employer must:
Register the employee with the Minijob-Zentrale before the first working day.
Report and pay all lump-sum contributions in a monthly contribution statement (Beitragsnachweis).
Keep records (working hours, payroll) for at least five years.
Notify and reclassify if the employee consistently exceeds the income limit – the employment then becomes a Midijob or regular fully insured job.
(kbs.de, Minijob Magazin)
If earnings regularly exceed the Minijob limit of 556 €, the job falls into the transition zone (Midijob).
For 2025:
Transition zone from 557 € to 2,000 € per month
Social security contributions increase gradually in this range
The employer pays almost the full contribution; the employee receives a contribution reduction until they approach the upper limit
Advantages:
High flexibility in working hours – ideal for students, parents, pensioners
For employees, often almost tax-free, as long as they have no substantial additional income
For small businesses and private households, predictable, relatively low non-wage labour costs
Disadvantages:
Limited social protection (no independent entitlement to unemployment or long-term care insurance from the Minijob alone).
With higher minimum wages, the number of hours that fit into the income limit decreases – some employers reduce shifts accordingly.
If the employee opts out of pension contributions, periods in a Minijob count less towards their future pension.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I have more than one Minijob? | Yes, but the total income from all Minijobs combined must not exceed 556 €/month; otherwise the employment becomes subject to full social insurance. |
| What if I exceed the limit temporarily? | A few, well-justified exceptions (e.g. bonuses, overtime, one-off payments) are tolerated. Regular and clear exceedance will reclassify the job as a Midijob/regular job. |
| Does a Minijob alone qualify me for a residence permit? | Generally no. A Minijob on its own does not provide a sufficient basis for a residence permit; you need a residence status that covers your living costs. |
A Minijob can be a practical option for students, parents, retirees and small employers who need flexible working arrangements with low administrative effort.
With the minimum wage rising to 12.82 € and the income limit to 556 € per month, the maximum number of working hours within a Minijob decreases. This makes careful planning of hours and costs more important than ever.
Always make sure to:
register correctly with the Minijob-Zentrale,
respect the legal income ceiling,
and enjoy the benefits of low contributions without sacrificing your basic labour rights.
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete/outdated details may occur. The information in this article should therefore be regarded as an initial guide; for binding and up-to-date advice, always consult the competent authorities and official institutions.
