If you’re looking to hire someone for household help or small jobs — or you’re interested in offering your services — Minijobs might be the way to go. These are low-wage, low-hour employment arrangements regulated by the German government.
According to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Minijobs are considered “marginal employment,” meaning they come with a few specific limits: the employee can earn up to €538 per month or work a maximum of 70 days per calendar year.
For a deep dive into the legal rights and responsibilities — both for employers and employees — the Minijob-Zentrale offers an English-language guide to employment law that’s worth bookmarking.
Tip – In Germany, if you hire someone to help in your private household, and you register them properly, such as through a Minijob, you may be eligible for tax deductions. But here’s the kicker: you must prove the payment method. That means no cash in hand, it must be paid via bank transfer, and the helper must be registered, typically through the Minijob-Zentrale. Minijob-Zentrale has a simple tool called Haushaltsscheck to help you register your household helper. They take care of social security contributions, accident insurance, and notify tax authorities, no suit-and-tie-level bureaucracy required. For more information, talk to your tax consultant or the Minijob-Zentrale