Guide to Work for Minors Under 16 in Germany (2025)
1. Legal framework
Work by minors (< 18 years) in Germany is governed by the Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz – JArbSchG).
For minors aged 13–14, the Child Employment Protection Ordinance (Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung – KindArbSchV) also applies.
(Gesetze im Internet, Gesetze im Internet)
2. Age groups and conditions
| Age group | Legal framework | Main working conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 years | Work generally prohibited | Only narrow exceptions: e.g. delivering newspapers/leaflets within the family circle or under strict supervision, in line with the Child Employment Protection Ordinance and with the consent of the legal guardian(s). (familienportal.nrw, Gesetze im Internet) |
| 13–14 years | Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung | • Up to 2 hours per day, only after school hours and until 18:00 at the latest, on a maximum of 5 days per week • Written consent of the legal guardian(s) is required (familienportal.nrw) |
| 15 years (under 16) | Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (§§ 8–10) | • Up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week (can be extended to 8.5 hours on one day if another working day is shortened accordingly), between 06:00 and 20:00 • No work before 06:00 or after 20:00 (Arbeitsrechte, Federal Economic Secretariat) |
3. Rest periods and breaks
At least 15 minutes’ break if the working time exceeds 4.5 consecutive hours.
At least 30 minutes’ break if daily working time exceeds 6 hours; this may be split into two breaks of at least 15 minutes each.
12 consecutive hours of rest between the end of one shift and the start of the next.
Work on Saturdays and Sundays is generally prohibited, with a few narrowly defined exceptions (e.g. healthcare, hospitality, agriculture).
(Industrie- und Handelskammer)
4. Types of permitted activities
For minors under 16, only light and non-hazardous activities are suitable, for example:
Delivering newspapers and advertising leaflets on the street or to subscribers (Kinderzeitung).
Picking vegetables and fruit on family farms or small agricultural businesses (up to 3 hours per day in the agricultural sector).
Babysitting for short, clearly agreed periods.
Helping in libraries or small shops, such as sorting books or products.
Simple assistance at events, such as ticket sales or handing out flyers.
5. Social security contributions and taxes
Short-term employment (Ferienjob / short-term helper – kurzfristige Beschäftigung)
If the job does not exceed 3 months or 70 working days per year, it is exempt from health, pension, unemployment and long-term care insurance contributions.
Minijob (for income ≤ 556 € per month)
The minor is exempt from most social insurance contributions.
A voluntary pension contribution of 3.6 % may be paid in order to build up future pension entitlements.
The employer pays flat-rate contributions of approx. 31 % to the social security system.
Taxes
Income tax (Lohnsteuer) is usually withheld at source.
If the minor’s annual income remains below 12 096 € (basic tax-free allowance in 2025), the withheld tax can be fully or partly reclaimed via an income tax return (Steuererklärung).
6. Employer obligations
Written consent from the legal guardian(s) for minors under 15 years of age.
A written employment contract within the first month, specifying:
Working hours
Nature of the job
Pay (hourly wage / monthly wage)
Registration with the competent Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurance).
Recording of working hours and wages, and keeping these records for at least 5 years.
Strict compliance with working-time limits and rest periods in accordance with JArbSchG and KindArbSchV.
(Gesetze im Internet, Industrie- und Handelskammer)
7. Tips for minors and parents
Plan ahead: Align working hours with school, homework and exam periods, so that education remains the priority.
Choose light, age-appropriate work that is not physically or mentally exhausting.
Make sure that working-time limits and rest periods are always respected, to protect both health and legal rights.
Ask for clear written contracts and pay slips, to ensure fair treatment and transparency.
Before starting, check that the minor is properly covered by Berufsgenossenschaft accident insurance through the employer.
By following these rules, minors under 16 in Germany can benefit from earning some income and gaining practical experience, while protecting their health and education under Germany’s strict youth employment laws.
The team of writers and editors of this website endeavours to provide accurate information based on careful research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or information may be incomplete or not yet fully verified. For that reason, the information contained in this article should be regarded as an initial reference only. For binding, up-to-date advice, please always contact the competent authorities and specialist bodies.
