Many families want to keep relatives in need of care in their own homes for as long as possible, but…
What is a fair wage for a private domestic help?
Darum geht’s
- The statutory minimum wage in Germany is 12,82€ this also applies in private households
- Our fair wage recommendation is 15€ per hour or depending on the place of residence and more
- With quitt you can choose the wage freely, registration is only possible in compliance with the minimum wage
What does minimum wage mean?
The minimum wage is a legally prescribed wage limit that may not be undercut. It is regulated by the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG). The aim is to create fair pay, prevent underpayment and protect against old age poverty.
The minimum wage in Germany
The statutory minimum wage in Germany is €12,82 gross per working hour (rising to 13,90€ in January 2026) and it applies to all employees and interns over the age of 18, regardless of the activity, working hours or scope of employment. Employers are obliged to record working conditions and working hours. The time sheet must be kept for two years.
| Date | Minimum Wage (€/h) | Monthly Wage (40 h/week) (€) | Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 13,90€ | 2.409€ | +8,4 % |
| Jan 2025 | 12,82€ | 2.222€ | +3,3 % |
| Jan 2024 | 12,41€ | 2.151€ | +3,4 % |
| Oct 2022 | 12,00€ | 2.080€ | +14,8 % |
| Jul 2022 | 10,45€ | 1.811€ | +6,4 % |
| Jan 2022 | 9,82€ | 1.702€ | +2,3 % |
| Jul 2021 | 9,60€ | 1.664€ | +1,1 % |
| Jan 2021 | 9,50€ | 1.647€ | +1,6 % |
| Jan 2020 | 9,35€ | 1.621€ | +1,7 % |
| Jan 2019 | 9,19€ | 1.593€ | +4,0 % |
| Jan 2017 | 8,84€ | 1.532€ | +4,0 % |
| Jan 2015 | 8,50€ | 1.473€ | — |
Monitoring compliance of the minimum wage payment is the responsibility of the Financial Control of Clandestine Employment (FKS) of the Federal Customs Administration. Violations of the Minimum Wage Act can result in a fine of up to 500.000€ and violations of obligations, such as the documentation of working hours, can be punished with up to 30.000€.
What is a fair pay for my household help?
In Germany, private domestic helpers receive an average of between €14 to 15 per hour. However, the actual wage depends heavily on place of residence, qualification, and the area of tasks (e.g. cleaning, childcare, gardening). We recommend an hourly wage of at least €15 to create a fair and trusting working relationship.
What does this all mean for quitt customers?
Agree on a reasonable wage directly with your household help. When registering with quitt, you can freely choose the wage, but it cannot fall below the minimum wage. However, please note that with the increase in the minimum wage to 13,90 € in January 2026, the remuneration limit in the minijob was also adjusted from 556 € to 603 € per month. The limits have an impact on the type of employment as well as the employer costs.
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