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This minimum apprenticeship remuneration was introduced in Germany for the first time in 2020 and is regulated by the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). It aims to increase the attractiveness of dual vocational training in Germany and promote equal opportunities for apprentices.
Amount of the Minimum Apprenticeship Remuneration
So if you want to train apprentices, you must pay your apprentices an appropriate salary.
For apprenticeship contracts starting between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, the following statutory minimum apprenticeship remuneration applies to the respective training year according to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG), as newly regulated by Federal Law Gazette No. 305/2024:
- 2024: € 682.00 in the first year of apprenticeship
- 2025: € 805.00 in the second year of apprenticeship
- 2026: € 921.00 in the third year of apprenticeship
- 2027: € 955.00 in the fourth year of apprenticeship
Collective Agreements Are Crucial for the Appropriateness of the Remuneration
These amounts must not be undercut. However, collective agreements take precedence over the statutory minimum remuneration. For instance, during economic crises, collective bargaining partners may negotiate lower remuneration.
Not only is the minimum amount of remuneration legally mandated, but the appropriateness of the remuneration in specific industries is also crucial. To determine whether the apprenticeship remuneration must exceed the minimum amount to be considered appropriate, one must refer to the relevant collective wage agreements.
The BBiG includes the following provision:
If there is no mutual collective agreement binding, the apprenticeship remuneration is no longer considered appropriate if it is above the statutory minimum remuneration but more than 20 % lower than the remuneration specified in a relevant collective agreement.
Penalties for Non-Compliance with the Apprenticeship Remuneration
Companies that do not pay the applicable apprenticeship remuneration or fail to pay it on time face not only back payment claims from their apprentices (which can also be legally enforced), but also commit administrative offenses that can be fined up to € 5,000.
Tip
For more information on training apprentices, check out our article "When the New Training Year Begins".
