Germany Brutto Netto Calculator
Calculate your monthly German net salary after Einkommensteuer, Soli, Kirchensteuer, and social contributions (Krankenversicherung, Rentenversicherung, Arbeitslosenversicherung, Pflegeversicherung).
Gehalt
Netto-Gehalt
Monthly Net (Netto)
€2,812
€33,746/year
Monthly Gross
€5,000
Annual Gross
€60,000
Lohnsteuer (annual)
€13,924
Soli
€0
Kirchensteuer
€0
KV + PV
€5,970
Rentenversicherung
€5,580
Arbeitslosenversicherung
€780
Total Deductions
€26,254
Effective Rate
43.76%
What comes off a German payslip
Your Brutto (gross) becomes Netto (net) after two big chunks of deductions. First, tax: Lohnsteuer (pay-as-you-earn income tax), Solidaritätszuschlag if applicable, and Kirchensteuer if you're a church member. Second, social contributions: roughly 20% of gross up to the ceilings — roughly split evenly between you and your employer.
Sozialversicherung ceilings (Beitragsbemessungsgrenzen 2026)
KV + PV ceiling: €66,150/year. Above this you pay no more into health and long-term-care insurance. RV + AV ceiling: €96,600/year. Above this you pay no more into pension or unemployment insurance. Income above these ceilings thus has a notably lower effective marginal deduction rate — sometimes 10-15 percentage points lower.
Steuerklasse (tax class)
Employers withhold Lohnsteuer based on your Steuerklasse: I (single), II (single parent), III/V (married with income gap), IV (married equal earners), IV with Faktor (balanced), VI (second job). The year-end Einkommensteuererklärung reconciles anything too much or too little withheld — most salaried Germans get a small refund.
GKV vs PKV
Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) is income-based (7.3% + ~1.7% Zusatzbeitrag split with employer). Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) is available above the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (€69,300/yr in 2026) and charges by age + health, not income. PKV can be cheaper when young but far more expensive later; returning to GKV after 55 is effectively impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know, in one place.
What deductions come out of a German paycheck?
Lohnsteuer (income tax withholding), Solidaritätszuschlag (if owed), Kirchensteuer (8-9% if church member), plus employee social contributions: Krankenversicherung ~8.15% (7.3% + half of ~1.7% Zusatzbeitrag), Pflegeversicherung 1.8% (2.4% if childless & over 23), Rentenversicherung 9.3%, Arbeitslosenversicherung 1.3%. Total ~20% social + income tax.
What are the social insurance ceilings for 2026?
Beitragsbemessungsgrenze 2026: €66,150/year for Kranken + Pflegeversicherung (West, same East from 2025). €96,600/year for Renten + Arbeitslosenversicherung (West). Incomes above the ceiling do not pay more into the respective schemes.
Steuerklasse — which tax class am I in?
Steuerklasse I: single/divorced. II: single parent with allowance. III/V: married with big income gap. IV: married with similar incomes. IV with Faktor: balanced split. VI: second job. Your class is set by the Finanzamt and shown on your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung.
Should I opt into private health insurance (PKV)?
PKV is available to employees earning over €69,300 (JAEG 2026), civil servants, and the self-employed. PKV costs depend on age and health (not income) so it can be cheaper for young high earners but much more expensive later. Switching back to GKV after 55 is effectively impossible — a decision to weigh carefully.
What is the Midijob zone and how does it reduce contributions?
Earnings €556.01-€2,000/month (2026) fall in the "Übergangsbereich" (transition zone, formerly Midijob). Employees pay reduced social contributions on a sliding scale, while employers pay the full rate. Example at €1,200 gross: employee saves roughly €100/month vs standard contributions, with no loss of pension/health entitlements. Employers cannot opt out. Minijobs under €556/month are tax/contribution-free for employees (employer pays flat levies).
How does Elterngeld (parental allowance) affect net pay?
Basiselterngeld: 65%-67% of previous net salary (minimum €300, maximum €1,800/month) for up to 14 months between both parents. ElterngeldPlus halves the amount but doubles duration. Income cap since April 2024: €200,000 household/year. Elterngeld is tax-free but subject to Progressionsvorbehalt — it raises your tax rate on other income in that year. If one partner takes Elterngeld mid-year, consider Steuerklassenwechsel before birth to maximise the payout base.
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