Exceptions to minimum wage

There are few exceptions to minimum wage. These people can earn less than the minimum wage:

• People in vocational training
• Adolescents under the age of 18 who have not completed vocational training
• People who are taking part in a measure offered by the job centre or the employment agency (e.g. an introductory qualification)
• People doing voluntary service
• The self-employed
• People doing a compulsory internship
• People doing a voluntary internship for professional orientation lasting a maximum of three months

Please note: the statutory minimum wage and industry-specific minimum wages also apply to migrants/refugees working in Germany.