(de-news.net) – By the middle of 2027, minimum wages for employees in Germany’s care sector are scheduled to rise in two distinct phases, according to a joint statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health together with the Ministry of Labor. The remuneration framework is differentiated according to professional qualifications. For auxiliary staff, the hourly rate is projected to increase to 16.95 euros, while qualified care workers are expected to receive 21.58 euros per hour. This adjustment represents an approximate five‑percent increase compared with current levels.

The revised pay scales were formally established by the Care Commission, a body composed of representatives from both employer organizations and trade unions. Across Germany, nearly 1.3 million individuals are employed in institutions that fall under the regulations of the care minimum wage. These include residential homes for the elderly, outpatient services, and home‑based nursing care. The measure therefore has wide‑ranging implications for a substantial segment of the national workforce engaged in health and social services.

The introduction of a sector‑specific minimum wage in care dates back to 2010, preceding the general statutory wage floor that was later applied across all industries. At that time, policymakers sought to respond to the acute shortage of personnel in elder care and to prepare for the demographic reality of a rapidly aging population. The decision was intended both to stabilize staffing levels and to ensure that the growing demand for professional care could be met in the years ahead.