Everything You Need to Know Before Starting a Midi-Job in Germany
We have a unique experience with Midi-Jobs in Germany. As part of a University fellowship I had while undertaking my PhD, I was hired into a Midi-Job position. However, just a few months later and after the birth of our son Jack, we hired a Tagesmutter (a kind of part-time Nanny), in a midi-job position. Effectively, we have experience both as a Midi-Job employee and employer in Germany. So what do you need to know before starting a Midi-Job in Germany? From earning caps to taxes and healthcare contributions, we cover it all.
What is a Midi-Job in Germany?
The best way to describe a Midi-Job in Germany is that it is, quite literally, a “middle” job. On one end of the spectrum you have mini-jobs, which are not generally subject to taxes and social contributions. And on the other end of the spectrum, you have full-time employment, which is subject to income tax and social contributions such as unemployment, healthcare, and long-term care insurance.
In the middle of these two are midi-jobs. Midi-jobs are a type of marginal employment which acts as a kind of transition zone (“Gleitzone”). In other words, a sliding tax and social contribution responsibilities that increase with earnings.
Specifically, a midi-job in Germany is one that:
Earns between €450,01 and €1.300,00.
Subject to a sliding contributions scale wherein you pay a small amount from your wages towards social insurance. However, you are fully covered in terms of health insurance, nursing care, unemployment benefit and pension.
From €850, the employee must contribute the full amount for social insurance.
Who can Work a Midi-Job in Germany?
Generally speaking, anyone with the right to work in Germany can take up a midi-job. Even international students may take up employment with a Mini-Job. Just make sure the hours worked to not violate the terms of their student visa.
In addition, expats with a residence permit or a work visa may also take up a midi-job in Germany. Once more, we recommend checking with the terms of your visa before taking up additional or marginal employment in Germany.
Midi-Job Taxes in Germany
As we mention prior, Midi-Jobs in Germany are considered to be a type of “transitional” employment. With a midi-job employees earn between 450.01 and 1,300 euros per month.
In terms of tax liability for a midi-job in Germany, you, as the minijobber, will pay tax and social contributions in graduated stages calculated by a formula.
The payment of taxes and social contribution in stages, or as a sliding scale, is a key feature of the midi-job. The German federal government introduced midi-jobs in 2003 primarily to protect employees who earn only slightly more than the insurance-free mini-job from being disadvantaged. For example, had mini-jobs not been created with their sliding zone of contributions, the net amount of income could be lower than the earnings in the mini-job due to the tax burden.
To calculate your midi-job tax liability, we recommend using this online calculator.
Midi-Jobs and Social Contributions in Germany
The other reason the federal government introduced “midi-jobs” in 2003 was to create an incentive for employees to switch from a mini-job to an employment type which was subject to social contributions.
Therefore, unlike mini-jobs, midi-jobs benefit from social security funds and other social insurance. Such as health insurance, pension insurance, long-term care insurance and unemployment insurance. Compared to mini-jobbers, mid-jobbers are fully covered by social insurance.
Such access to insurance is critical for the ability of an employee to continue receiving their wages. For example, in the case of illness, pregnancy, or maternity leave.
Furthermore, the social contributions of a midi-job in Germany are also reduced on a sliding scale.
Because social contributions are collected by the insurance funds in Germany (such as TK, AOK, Barmer GEK etc.), you can calculate the midi-job social contribution liability through their online calculators. For reference, you can use this online calculator from TK.
Where to find a Midi-Job in Germany
Interested in finding a midi-job in Germany? Depending on the sector of employment, and the target employee for the position, midi-job position openings may be posted in a number of forums.
For students interested in a midi-job in Germany - we suggest checking out your University’s Student Union. For example, at the University of Freiburg, their midi-job postings can be found here.
If you are a working-adult who is interested in a commercial mini-job in Germany, we suggest checking out local postings using regional forums. For example, in the Black Forest, Schwarzwald-jobs.de is a great resource for finding available midi-jobs.
Even LinkedIn can be a good resource to find a midi-job in Germany.
Multiple Midi-Jobs in Germany
This all sounds good so far. So you may be wondering, can I have multiple Midi-Jobs in Germany?
Generally speaking - yes, as long as they are not from the same employer. However, the income from both midi-jobs are assessed collectively and the amount owed in income tax and graduated social insurance contributions is determined by the total gross income.
Having a Mini-Job and a Midi-Job in Germany
For those looking to make a little extra cash, it is very much possible to have both a midi-job and a mini-job in Germany. This is because the midi-job is the one job that is subject to insurance, and the second is an “insurance-free” minor employment.
However, keep in mind, if several mini-jobs are carried out in parallel with a midi-job, only the mini-job that started first will be insurance-free. The wages earned of every further mini-job is added to the income of the mid-job and is therefore also subject to insurance and tax calculations.
Final Thoughts on Midi-Jobs in Germany
Overall, midi-Jobs in Germany are exactly as they sound - a middle ground of employment between mini jobs (which are tax and social contribution free) and full time employment which is subject to full tax and social contributions.
If you are trying to decide between taking on a mini-job and a midi-job in Germany it is best to consider your entire family’s income scenario. Mini-Jobs are best for children under 18 of working age, spouses, and those interested in a little extra side cash. This is because if you fall under one of these three categories, you can most likely get health insurance from another source or as a dependent of someone with health insurance. Otherwise you will have to pay for healthcare out of pocket - eliminating a significant portion of your income.
Midi-jobs, on the other hand, are a great solution for those who need health insurance and the security of other social programs, while still earning an income on a part-time basis. This is because although your contributions are reduced, your protection remains in full.
