German Care Sector Minimum Wage Increased by 2.6% with Calls for Further Reform

The Minimum Wage Commission for Care in Germany has announced a planned 2.6% increase in minimum wages for care workers by 2027, raising pay to up to €21.58 per hour for skilled professionals. This adjustment was welcomed by major care organizations, including Diakonie Deutschland, the German Evangelical Association for Elderly Care and Nursing (DEVAP), and the Association of Diaconal Employers in Germany (VdDD).

Elke Ronneberger, head of social policy at Diakonie Deutschland, highlighted that professional care deserves appropriate valuation reflected in wages, criticizing political focus on costs over the necessity of diverse care provision enabling workforce participation by relatives. Johanne Hannemann of VdDD noted that low wages are no longer the sector’s issue; the new minimum wage represents the lowest acceptable threshold. She stressed the need for simplified access for career changers and labor migrants to address staffing needs.

Anna Leonhardi from DEVAP added that real wages for care aides have risen significantly since 2012—42% for helpers and 35% for professionals—but emphasized that the core challenge now lies in securing reliable working conditions. She called for urgent comprehensive reform through a care summit to tackle financing and reduce bureaucratic burdens.

While wage increases mark progress, experts concur further political action is essential to sustainably strengthen Germany’s care sector.