How much can I earn in a mini-job?
Up to €603 a month. In a mini-job (marginal employment) you may earn up to €603 a month in 2026, i.e. €7,236 a year — largely tax- and contribution-free for you. Since October 2022 the cap is dynamically linked to the minimum wage and rises with it. At an hourly rate of €13.90 that's about 43 working hours a month. If you permanently earn more, you slide into the transition range (midi-job, €603.01–€2,000) with different contributions. An occasional, unforeseeable overrun is allowed within limits.
📋 The rules
- Earnings cap 2026: €603/month or €7,236/year
- The cap is dynamically linked to the minimum wage
- At €13.90/hour: about 43 hours/month
- Above it: midi-job/transition range (€603.01–€2,000)
- There's pension-insurance liability (exemption possible on request)
🔓 Exceptions
- An occasional, unforeseeable overrun (e.g. sickness cover) is allowed up to twice a year
- Short-term mini-jobs (time-limited) follow their own rules (max 3 months/70 working days)
- Several mini-jobs are added together — the cap applies in total
⚠️ Penalties & fines
It's about your classification, not fines against you. If you exceed the cap permanently, the job becomes liable for social insurance — contributions then fall due and the 'mini-job' status ends. If the employer registers you wrongly or pays below the minimum wage, they face back-payments and fines (Customs checks). So make sure you're correctly registered with the Mini-job Centre.
📎 Official sources
- German Pension Insurance · Mini-job cap rises to €603 in 2026 →
- Mini-job Centre · Mini-job 2026 — changes →
- DGB · Mini-jobs — what you need to know →
❓ Frequently asked
How much can I earn in a mini-job in 2026?
Up to €603 a month, i.e. €7,236 a year. The cap is linked to the minimum wage and rises with it. At an hourly rate of €13.90 that's about 43 working hours a month.
What happens if I earn more?
If you permanently exceed the cap it's no longer a mini-job but a midi-job in the transition range (€603.01–€2,000) with graduated social contributions. An occasional, unforeseeable overrun is allowed up to twice a year.
Do I have to pay tax and contributions?
For you the mini-job is usually tax- and contribution-free — the employer pays flat-rate contributions. There's pension-insurance liability, from which you can be exempted on request (though usually not advisable).
Can I have several mini-jobs?
One mini-job alongside a main job, yes. If you have several mini-jobs, the earnings are added together — if together they exceed €603 a month, it becomes liable for social insurance.
Does the minimum wage apply in a mini-job?
Yes. In a mini-job too you're entitled to the full minimum wage of €13.90 per hour. The earnings cap only limits how many hours you may work at that rate without losing the mini-job status.
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