Germany is a country with a growing population of seniors. The aging of the population has resulted in an increasing demand for caregivers for the elderly. That is why there are around one million caregivers from Central and Eastern European countries working in Germany. They mainly come from Poland, but also from Slovakia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia. For many of them, caring for the elderly in Germany is not only a vocation but also a way to earn money abroad. How much do caregivers earn in Germany and how much of this amount goes “on hand”? How do taxes affect final salary? So let’s take a look at the earnings of caregivers to fully dispel the doubts over the consideration: Is it profitable to work as a caregiver in Germany? If you are interested in the topic of caregiver salaries and are looking for a job in this industry yourself, we invite you to visit the Hrily Jobs website. There you will find current vacancies for caregivers in Germany and other countries. To ensure the highest quality of services, the portal offers only the best agencies for caring for the elderly.
Rates for Care Jobs in Germany
Wages in the German care industry are extremely diverse. In the case of round-the-clock home care for the elderly, where the caregiver lives together with the dependent, the rates per month of work usually oscillate between 1000 and 2000 Euro gross. However, it is important to emphasize that the amount of a caregiver’s salary is not fixed and depends on many factors. The key determinants are:
- the scope of work performed – whether the caregiver is responsible only for basic care or for more complex medical activities,
- required qualifications,
- education, possession of additional courses and certificates,
- experience in working with seniors.
All of these factors can have a significant impact on the final amount of remuneration that will be included in the contract. That’s why it’s a good idea to carefully analyze job offers for caregivers and choose one that will match not only your expectations but also your skills.
How much does a caregiver make net per month?
The monthly earnings of a caregiver in Germany depend on the number of hours she works and additional responsibilities. The average earnings of full-time caregivers for seniors oscillate between 1200 and 1800 euros. Of course, these amounts can increase in the case of specialized care or when the caregiver has additional qualifications.
Taxes
When considering net earnings, it’s a good idea to factor in taxes. Germany has a progressive tax system, which means that the more you earn, the higher percentage of your income goes to taxes. Carers are usually employed under a contract of employment, which means that the employer automatically withholds social security contributions and taxes. Carers who are not residents of Germany may be able to recover part of the tax paid when they return to their home country.
In the care industry, it is also common to combine work in two countries. In such cases, taxes are lower, and companies are happy to take advantage of it. The level of taxes depends on the caregiver’s country of origin, so it is worth asking the Care Agency about the current regulations so that you do not have to worry about the salary after starting cooperation. It’s good to know that care agencies compete for the best care staff, so if you need it, ask for detailed calculations. Doing so will allow you to make an informed decision responsibly, which will certainly translate into work efficiency. Without a doubt, every caregiver wants to know what income they can expect, as it allows them to avoid stress and misunderstandings.
Type of contracts for caregivers of the elderly in Germany
When we talk about senior care in Germany, we are dealing with different forms of employment. One of the most common is an employment contract on German terms. The caregiver then works full-time. In this case, the contract is concluded directly with the German family or care company. As part of this form of employment, caregivers earn an average of between 1500 and 1700 euros net. Importantly, the final earnings in senior care depend on the working conditions, qualifications, and fluency in the German language. The high salaries of babysitters are therefore the result of their commitment.
If caregivers cooperate with care companies from their country of origin (e.g. Polish care agencies), they usually work under an employment contract or a contract of mandate. In this situation, the minimum earnings of a caregiver range from 1450 to 1900 euros net. An important aspect is how the salary of caregivers for the elderly is composed and what allowances are included in the salary.
On the other hand, self-employed people can expect a salary of 1600 to 2900 euros per month. The amount that is left “on hand” depends on the individual costs associated with running a business.
Other popular forms of employment are MidiJob and MiniJob. The former allows you to earn up to €1300 with smaller contributions, while the latter allows you to earn up to €450, with correspondingly reduced contributions.
Unfortunately, there is also an unofficial market where caregivers work illegally. In such situations, the earnings of caregivers working in Germany are similar to those of official employment, but caregivers expose themselves to many risky situations. They do not have any legal or insurance guarantees, which adversely affects the comfort and safety of work. For example, if a German family decides not to pay the caregiver, it becomes virtually impossible to assert their rights. In addition, undeclared work in Germany is severely punished, so it is worth considering several times whether it is worthwhile to work as a caregiver for the elderly in Germany illegally.
The minimum wage in Germany – why is it so important?
As one of the key economic players in Europe, Germany regularly adapts its wage policy to the dynamically changing economic and social landscape. Among these standards, the minimum wage plays a crucial role in ensuring that workers are paid a living in dignity.
In 2023, Germany started another update of the minimum wage rate. Therefore, the earnings of caregivers in Germany have increased in 2023. While the exact figure may vary from year to year, it is the result of in-depth analysis and debate by trade unions, employers’ representatives, and economic professionals.
Advantages of introducing a minimum wage
The minimum wage in Germany has multiple meanings. Not only does it guarantee a basic standard of living for workers, but it also has a significant impact on the economy as a whole. It ensures that lower-skilled workers have a stable minimum income, which increases purchasing power and boosts the internal market. A caregiver employed in Germany does not have to worry that her income will not be sufficient to cover the cost of living.
Benefits for employees
A fixed minimum wage gives employees in Germany the certainty of a stable income. This means that you can provide for the necessities of life – from housing to food to medical care.
In combination with other social policy instruments, the minimum wage provides German workers with the assurance that their efforts will be adequately rewarded – regardless of the sector or region in which they work.
How has the minimum wage increased over the years?
If you look back, you can see that the minimum wage in Germany has been steadily increasing. Here’s a brief history of her growth:
-2015: The salary for caregivers for the elderly was set at €8.50/hour.
-2016: Germany decided not to make any changes – the wage remained at €8.50/hour.
-2017: There was a slight increase to €8.84/hour.
-2018: Year unchanged – the pay rate remained at the previous year’s level, i.e. €8.84/hour.
-2019: This year, babysitters could count on €9.19/hour.
-2020: The following year saw a slight increase to €9.35/hour.
-2021: The minimum wage increased to €9.60/hour.
-2022: It was a surprise! The salary jump to €12.00/hour shows how much Germany appreciates employees and how important it is for them to take care of the elderly.
Summing up the earnings of caregivers in Germany, it is clear that they can count on better and better financial conditions. This is due to the growing demand for this type of service. The ever-increasing minimum wage makes the sector more and more financially attractive.
What does the salary of a caregiver for an elderly person depend on?
When considering choosing the profession of a senior caregiver in Germany, it is worth paying attention to a few key aspects that will affect our final salary:
- Language: Knowledge of the German language is crucial. The better we can communicate with the mentee, the higher earnings we can expect. However, if German is not one of your strengths, consider taking a German course.
- Experience: People with medical training, such as nurses or caregivers with proven experience, can expect higher rates.
- References: Certifications and positive feedback from previous employers are important assets.
- Location: The western and northwestern federal states offer higher rates. On the other hand, working in care in the northeastern regions of Germany can mean lower pay.
- Number of dependents: Caring for a couple, such as a married couple, usually means higher earnings for caregivers per month.
- The health of the person in care: Caring for people in a more serious condition, or jobs that require carrying the people in care, are associated with higher rates.
- Additional factors: Working at night, the presence of other household members in the apartment, or carrying the residents can affect the final salary.
Additional benefits that a caregiver can get
The care industry comes with many challenges, but also benefits. Employment agencies often offer additional bonuses and bonuses, which increase the scale of caregiver’s earnings. Caregivers can count on:
- Referral bonus: By referring a new babysitter or a family in need of care, you can earn extra money.
- Seniority bonuses: The longer we work, the more we can earn.
- Return Bonus: By returning to a previous job, you can grab an additional bonus.
- Moving to a new agency: When you change jobs, you can count on additional gratification.
- Working on holidays and holidays: Caring for you on special days is often more cost-effective.
- Quick departure: Mentoring a jumper in Germany is a very dynamic job. Care agencies are very often looking for caregivers for trips that are supposed to be in a few days. In such cases, they often offer a higher salary.
When choosing a job as a caregiver in Germany, it is important to know what salary you can count on and what factors will affect its amount. A well-prepared caregiver is a person who is aware of their value and knows how to negotiate the best conditions for themselves.
What does the caregiver save on?
Salary is one thing, but a caregiver for an elderly person in Germany can also count on other benefits. A caregiver’s salary is not everything. It is worth knowing that in addition to direct earnings, caregivers also receive:
- Accommodation: When working as a caregiver, you don’t have to worry about rental costs. When living together with a resident, caregivers usually enjoy comfortable conditions – they have a separate room at their disposal, often with their own bathroom, TV, or Internet access.
- Food: Daily shopping and food preparation is not only a chore, but also an opportunity to save. Since we cook for the mentee, we also use prepared dishes, so we don’t have to spend money on our meals.
- Reimbursement of travel expenses: Many employers or agencies cover the cost of transportation to the place of work. This is another position in which the caregiver can save significantly.
To sum up, working as a caregiver in Germany offers not only a good salary but also numerous additional benefits that increase the profitability of this work. Extra benefits translate into the possibility of real savings. And although this work is undoubtedly associated with many challenges, it also provides a lot of satisfaction and allows for stability.