Jonas Stamm 

## Minimum Salaries are good, but region specific

Construction workers need to pay attention to the region in Germany they are considering and which skill class they are in. This is because the minimum salaries for construction workers vary depending on the region. For example, in 2021, the minimum wage for unskilled construction workers in the eastern states is €12.55 per hour, while in the western states it is €12.90 per hour. 

| Region | Skilled | Unskilled  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Berlin | 19,08€ → 23,9€ / hour | 15,55€ / hour |
| Western Germany | 19,27€ → 24,19€ / hour | 15,7€ / hour |
| Rest of Germany (excl. Berlin and Western Germany) | 18,29€ → 22,91€ / hour | 12,85€ / hour |

## Working hours are moderate and max. 2 hours of overtime allowed per day

Additionally to the points below, many companies are offering new working models like a 4-day work week or every 2 Friday time off.

- 41 hours / week in the Summer (April to November)
- 38 hours / week in the Winter period (November to April)
- max. 2 hours of overtime per day allowed

## Trips are compensated and meal allowances are paid

When considering a job as a construction worker in Germany, it's important to ask whether the company pays for your driving time. Most good companies compensate their workers for their travel time, so it's important to clarify this before accepting a job offer. Additionally, if you will need to stay at a construction site overnight, many companies will also compensate for accommodation.

- 0.2 EUR per km with own car - maximum 20 € / day
- In Western Germany 4.09 € / day (only if the worker is away from home for more than 10 hours)
- 24 € / day for accommodation allowance

## Many salary premiums are available

Construction workers in Germany can benefit from various salary bonuses, depending on the type of work they do. Overtime work, night work, work on public holidays, and dangerous work all grant different percentages of salary bonus per hour. However, it is important to note that working on Saturdays is not usual and companies pay extra voluntarily to make it attractive.

### The good things

- Working overtime grants 25% salary bonus / hour
- Night work is compensated with a 20% salary bonus / hour
(Applies to work from 20:00 to 05:00)
- Work on public holidays max. 200% salary bonus / hour
- Hazardous work spans from 0.3€ → 71,6€ / hour

### The bad things

- Saturday work is allowed and does not need a salary bonus
- Shift work is allowed without extra salary bonus

## Holiday depends on your work time model

For workers who are paid hourly wages, vacation time is accrued by saving 2.5 days per month. This means that in a year, they will have accumulated 30 days of vacation time. However, it is important to note that the amount of vacation time may also depend on the region.

For non-hourly waged workers, the number of vacation days is usually fixed at 30 days per year.

- 30 days / year is usual 
(This is also according to the social partner of the construction industry)
- 20 days / year is legal minimum amount of vacation
- around 12 days per year. This is region dependent!
- As hourly wages you can max take 20 % of your gross salary as vacation

## Wage deductions and taxes are complicated

It is highly advisable for construction workers in Germany to get a tax accountant to do their taxes. The tax system for construction workers is complex and it is easy to leave money on the table if not done correctly. Alternatively, there are also apps like Taxfix that can help with doing personal taxes.

- Social Security is 20% of your gross salary
- Income Tax depends on your life situation (single/married/widowed)
- Construction worker mandatory pension is 9,2€ / month

## Sickness and injury

Construction workers in Germany are entitled to compensation during their sick time. If a worker is absent due to sickness or injury, the employer is required to pay their full salary for the first six weeks. After six weeks, the mandatory health insurance will pay 90% of the worker's income. It is important to note that construction workers are required to have mandatory health insurance in Germany.

- 1 week → 6 week: 100% paid by the employer
- After 6 weeks: 90% paid by the health insurance

# Summary

This document provides information on working as a construction worker in Germany. The minimum wages for skilled and unskilled workers vary by region. Working hours are moderate, and up to two hours of overtime per day are allowed. Travel time and meal allowances are compensated, and various salary bonuses are available for overtime, night work, and hazardous work. Vacation time depends on the type of work model, and the tax system is complex, requiring professional assistance. Finally, sick leave compensation is available for up to six weeks, and mandatory health insurance is required.

facts about working in Germany as a construction worker

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