Germany Salary Calculator 2026
Work out your German net salary (brutto netto) after tax and social security
German Tax 2026 (tax class I)
- Basic allowance (Grundfreibetrag)€12,348
- Income tax14% – 42%
- Top rate (45%)Above €277,826
- Pension insurance9.3%
- Health insurance≈ 8.75%
- Care / unemployment1.8% / 1.3%
Tax year 2026, tax class I, no church tax. Social contributions are capped at the 2026 contribution ceilings.
Gross Salary
Net Salary
Monthly Take-Home
Total Tax
How German take-home pay is calculated in 2026
In Germany your gross salary (brutto) is reduced by income tax (Lohnsteuer), the solidarity surcharge for high earners, and four social insurance contributions. What is left is your net salary (netto).
Employee social insurance 2026
| Contribution | Employee share | Capped at |
|---|---|---|
| Pension insurance | 9.3% | €101,400 a year |
| Unemployment insurance | 1.3% | €101,400 a year |
| Health insurance (incl. average add-on) | ≈ 8.75% | €69,750 a year |
| Long-term care insurance | 1.8% | €69,750 a year |
Income tax
The first €12,348 of taxable income is tax-free in 2026. Above that, the rate rises gradually from 14% to 42%, and 45% applies above €277,826. Only about 10% of taxpayers pay the solidarity surcharge, because it only applies when income tax exceeds €20,350.
Worked example: €60,000 salary
On €60,000 you pay about €9,450 income tax, €5,580 pension, €5,250 health, €1,080 care and €780 unemployment insurance. Your net salary is about €37,860 a year, or €3,155 a month.
Assumes tax class I, no children, no church tax and the average health insurance add-on. Childless employees over 23 pay a slightly higher care rate. Not tax advice.