Germany care minimum wage 2026 and 2027

API The three qualification tiers come as REST API, JSON and CSV, each amount with its effective date and official source.

Since July 1, 2026, the care minimum wage (Pflegemindestlohn) in Germany has been €16.52 for care assistants, €17.80 for care workers with at least one year of training and €21.03 for registered nurses, gross per hour, under the Seventh Care Working Conditions Ordinance (PflegeArbbV). From July 1, 2027, the amounts rise to €16.95, €18.26 and €21.58. On top of that, there are 9 days of extra vacation a year with a five-day week.

Last checked against the sources on September 24, 2026. Next expected change: levels through July 1, 2027 promulgated, ordinance applies until September 30, 2028.

REST /v1/hr/pflegemindestlohnMCP hr_pflegemindestlohnCLI qk pflegemindestlohn

The minimum wages for care businesses (Pflegemindestlohn) from the Care Working Conditions Ordinances (Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnungen): care assistants, care workers with at least one year of training and registered nurses (Pflegefachkräfte), with separate amounts for West and East until they were aligned in 2021, plus the extra vacation on top of the statutory vacation. Promulgated increases are available with their effective date.

Valid on September 25, 2026

Minimum wage for care assistants: €16.52 per hour
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training: €17.80 per hour
Minimum wage for registered nurses: €21.03 per hour

Announced: Minimum wage for care assistants from July 1, 2027 €16.95 per hour, Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training from July 1, 2027 €18.26 per hour, Minimum wage for registered nurses from July 1, 2027 €21.58 per hour.

Source: Second to Seventh Care Working Conditions Ordinance (Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnung)
License: Values from official works (§ 5 UrhG). Use of the compilation under the Quellenkontor terms of use.
Updates: with each new ordinance, usually on July 1
Coverage: Germany, from 2015

A value doesn't match the official source? Report an error. We check against the primary source and document every correction in the changelog.

Related solutions: For payroll software and payroll providers

api.quellenkontor.dev/v1/hr/pflegemindestlohn?datum=2027-07-01

Zur API-Doku →

curl "https://api.quellenkontor.dev/v1/hr/pflegemindestlohn?datum=2027-07-01" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $QK_KEY"

import { Quellenkontor } from "@quellenkontor/sdk";

const qk = new Quellenkontor(process.env.QK_KEY);
const daten = await qk.hr.pflegemindestlohn({ datum: "2027-07-01" });

import os
from quellenkontor import Quellenkontor

qk = Quellenkontor(api_key=os.environ["QK_KEY"])
daten = qk.hr.pflegemindestlohn(datum="2027-07-01")

$ qk pflegemindestlohn --datum 2027-07-01

{
  "name": "hr_pflegemindestlohn",
  "arguments": {
    "datum": "2027-07-01"
  }
}

This is how an agent calls the tool. Server setup is described in the MCP docs.

Antwort200 OK · JSON

{
  "datensatz": "pflegemindestlohn",
  "datum": "2027-07-01",
  "vorlaeufig": false,
  "werte": {
    "pflegehilfskraft": 16.95,
    "qualifizierte_pflegehilfskraft": 18.26,
    "pflegefachkraft": 21.58,
    "zusatzurlaub_tage": 9
  },
  "bestandteile": [
    {
      "id": "pflegehilfskraft",
      "name": "Mindestlohn für Pflegehilfskräfte",
      "gruppe": "Mindestlohn je Stunde",
      "einheit": "euro_stunde",
      "wert": 16.95,
      "gueltig_ab": "2027-07-01",
      "gueltig_bis": "2028-09-30",
      "rechtsgrundlage": "§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)",
      "quelle": {
        "titel": "Siebte Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnung (7. PflegeArbbV) vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)",
        "url": "https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2026/58/VO.html"
      },
      "hinweis": "Die 7. PflegeArbbV tritt mit Ablauf des 30.09.2028 außer Kraft (§ 6), ein Nachfolger ist noch nicht verkündet.",
      "naechster_wert": null
    },
    {
      "id": "qualifizierte_pflegehilfskraft",
      "name": "Mindestlohn für Pflegekräfte mit mindestens einjähriger Ausbildung",
      "gruppe": "Mindestlohn je Stunde",
      "einheit": "euro_stunde",
      "wert": 18.26,
      "gueltig_ab": "2027-07-01",
      "gueltig_bis": "2028-09-30",
      "rechtsgrundlage": "§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)",
      "quelle": {
        "titel": "Siebte Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnung (7. PflegeArbbV) vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)",
        "url": "https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2026/58/VO.html"
      },
      "hinweis": "Die 7. PflegeArbbV tritt mit Ablauf des 30.09.2028 außer Kraft (§ 6), ein Nachfolger ist noch nicht verkündet.",
      "naechster_wert": null
    }
  ],
  "hinweise": [
    "Gilt nur in Pflegebetrieben nach § 1 der jeweiligen Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnung, nicht in Krankenhäusern."
  ],
  "lizenz": "Werte aus amtlichen Werken (§ 5 UrhG). Nutzung der Zusammenstellung nach den Nutzungsbedingungen von Quellenkontor.",
  "stand": "2026-09-24",
  "zitat": "Pflegemindestlohn am 01.07.2027: Pflegehilfskräfte 16,95 Euro, Pflegekräfte mit mindestens einjähriger Ausbildung 18,26 Euro, Pflegefachkräfte 21,58 Euro, jeweils brutto je Stunde, gültig ab 01.07.2027. Rechtsgrundlage: § 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026. Quelle: Siebte Pflegearbeitsbedingungenverordnung (7. PflegeArbbV) vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58), https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2026/58/VO.html. Daten: Quellenkontor (quellenkontor.dev).",
  "datenstand": "2026-09-24.9"
}

Response shortened. All parameters and response fields are in the Care minimum wage reference.

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Care minimum wage 2026 by qualification

As of September 25, 2026.

Legal citations stay in German, exactly as they appear in the official sources.

Component	Value	Valid	Legal basis	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€16.52 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€17.80 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€21.03 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source

Extra vacation in care 2026

As of September 25, 2026.

Component	Value	Valid	Legal basis	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	9 days	July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source

Care minimum wage from July 1, 2027

Already promulgated, not yet in force.

Component	Value	Valid	Legal basis	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€16.95 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€18.26 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€21.58 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source

Care minimum wage since 2015

Every change to a component with its validity, newest first.

Show all 61 entriesHide 61 entries

Component	Value	Valid	Legal basis	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€16.95 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€18.26 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€21.58 per hour	July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€16.52 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€17.80 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€21.03 per hour	July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	9 days	July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 7. PflegeArbbV vom 3. März 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 58)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€16.10 per hour	July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€17.35 per hour	July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€20.50 per hour	July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 3 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€15.50 per hour	May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€16.50 per hour	May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€19.50 per hour	May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€14.15 per hour	February 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€15.25 per hour	February 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€18.25 per hour	February 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 1 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	9 days	February 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 6. PflegeArbbV vom 28. November 2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 336)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€14.15 per hour	December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 4 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€15.25 per hour	December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 4 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€18.25 per hour	December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 4 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€13.90 per hour	May 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€14.90 per hour	May 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€17.65 per hour	May 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 3 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	9 days	January 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€13.70 per hour	September 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 2 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€14.60 per hour	September 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€17.10 per hour	September 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€12.55 per hour	May 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€13.20 per hour	May 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€15.40 per hour	May 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 1 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	7 days	May 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 5. PflegeArbbV vom 20. April 2022 (BAnz AT 26.04.2022 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€12.55 per hour	April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€13.20 per hour	April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€15.40 per hour	April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 und Abs. 2 Satz 3 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€12 per hour	September 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€15 per hour	July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 3 und Abs. 2 Satz 3 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€11.80 per hour	April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€11.50 per hour	April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training	€12.50 per hour	April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care workers with at least one year of training in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€12.20 per hour	April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 2 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for registered nurses	€12.50 per hour	April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 8 der 4. PflegeArbbV in Verbindung mit § 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	6 days	January 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€11.60 per hour	July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€11.20 per hour	July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021	§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€11.35 per hour	May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€10.85 per hour	May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020	§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Extra vacation per calendar year with a five-day week	5 days	May 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020	§ 4 Abs. 1 der 4. PflegeArbbV vom 22. April 2020 (BAnz AT 28.04.2020 V2)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€11.35 per hour	January 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€10.85 per hour	January 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€11.05 per hour	January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€10.55 per hour	January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€10.55 per hour	January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€10.05 per hour	January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€10.20 per hour	November 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€9.50 per hour	November 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 3. PflegeArbbV vom 1. August 2017 (BAnz AT 11.08.2017 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€10.20 per hour	January 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€9.50 per hour	January 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€9.75 per hour	January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€9 per hour	January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants	€9.40 per hour	January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source
Minimum wage for care assistants in eastern Germany excluding Berlin (until August 31, 2021)	€8.65 per hour	January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015	§ 2 Abs. 1 Satz 2 der 2. PflegeArbbV vom 27. November 2014 (BAnz AT 28.11.2014 V1)	Source

Rules from statutes and administrative guidance

The care minimum wage applies in care businesses: businesses and independent departments that mainly provide outpatient, day or night, or inpatient care services or outpatient nursing for people in need of care, including support services under § 71 Abs. 1a SGB XI (§ 1 Abs. 1 7. PflegeArbbV).
Hospitals and facilities that focus on prevention, rehabilitation, participation, school or education are not covered (§ 1 Abs. 1 7. PflegeArbbV).
The care minimum wage applies to all employees of these businesses except apprentices (§ 1 Abs. 2 7. PflegeArbbV).
Employees in administration, building services, kitchen, housekeeping, cleaning, reception and security, gardening, laundry or logistics are only covered if at least 25% of their agreed working time is spent on support or care (§ 1 Abs. 3 and 4 7. PflegeArbbV).
A registered nurse (Pflegefachkraft) is someone authorized to carry out the activities under § 4 Pflegeberufegesetz. The middle amount goes to care workers with at least one year of training in a care assistant or helper occupation who also carry out matching tasks (§ 2 Abs. 2 and 3 7. PflegeArbbV).
As an industry minimum wage under the Posted Workers Act (Arbeitnehmer-Entsendegesetz), the care minimum wage takes precedence over the general minimum wage as long as it is not lower. For on-call duty, the monthly gross pay divided by all working and on-call hours must reach at least the general minimum wage (§ 1 Abs. 3 MiLoG, § 2 Abs. 5 7. PflegeArbbV).
Vacation under an employment contract, collective agreement or works agreement that goes beyond the statutory minimum vacation counts toward the extra vacation (§ 4 Abs. 2 7. PflegeArbbV).
Example with 9 days of extra vacation and a five-day week: with 26 contractual vacation days, 3 days are added, and from 29 contractual days none.

The API returns these statements in the regeln field, so software and agents can display them.

As JSON and CSV

Every request returns JSON. The history since 2015 is also available as a CSV file with format=csv, and with trennzeichen=semikolon it fits Excel with German regional settings. More in Responses and CSV.

Terminal

curl "https://api.quellenkontor.dev/v1/hr/pflegemindestlohn/verlauf?format=csv&trennzeichen=semikolon" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $QK_KEY" -o pflegemindestlohn.csv

Parameters

Parameters	Type	Meaning
`datum`date	date	Effective date in the format YYYY-MM-DD. Defaults to today.
`bestandteil`text	text	Return and cite only this component, for example for a single question (optional). Allowed values are the component ids.

All response fields with types, allowed values, defaults and error cases are in the Care minimum wage reference.

Questions about this dataset

What is the care minimum wage in Germany in 2026?

Until June 30, 2026 €16.10, €17.35 and €20.50; from July 1, 2026 €16.52 for care assistants, €17.80 for care workers with at least one year of training and €21.03 for registered nurses, gross per hour in each case.

What is the care minimum wage in Germany in 2027?

From July 1, 2027 €16.95 for care assistants, €18.26 for care workers with at least one year of training and €21.58 for registered nurses, gross per hour in each case.

How much extra vacation does the Care Working Conditions Ordinance give?

On top of the statutory vacation, 9 days of paid extra vacation a year with a five-day week. Contractual or collectively agreed vacation above the statutory minimum counts toward it: with 26 contractual days, 3 days are added, and from 29 contractual days none.

Does the care minimum wage apply in hospitals?

No. It applies in care businesses, meaning home care services, day and night care and nursing homes. Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities are not covered (§ 1 of the ordinance).

Do kitchen or administrative staff get the care minimum wage?

Only if at least 25% of their agreed working time is spent on support or care. Otherwise the general minimum wage applies to them.

How often is the dataset updated?

With each new ordinance, usually on July 1. We check the data against the official sources every week, and every change is logged in the changelog. On the Pro plan, a webhook notifies your server.

Germany care minimum wage 2026 and 2027

Care minimum wage 2026 by qualification

Extra vacation in care 2026

Care minimum wage from July 1, 2027

Care minimum wage since 2015

Rules from statutes and administrative guidance

As JSON and CSV

Parameters

Questions about this dataset

More on Care minimum wage

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APIMCPwith every adjustment

Tax-free premiums for Sunday, holiday and night work
Tax-free premium rates under § 3b EStG and the base pay limits for tax and social security.
APIMCPwhen the law changes

Vacation entitlement calculator
Statutory minimum vacation for part-time work and for joining or leaving during the year.
APIMCPwhen the law changes