Registration is not bureaucracy for its own sake: an unregistered worker has no accident cover on the way to work, and the months never enter the pension record. The employer bears all contributions — registration costs you nothing, which is why “we will register you later” has no honest explanation.
Minijob: Contract and Proper Registration
A real minijob starts with written terms and registration at the Minijob-Zentrale. Five minutes of checking at the start saves months of disputes.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
AUTHORITY
Minijob-Zentrale
Public bodyRegistration, contributions and every question about minijobs go to the Minijob-Zentrale (Knappschaft-Bahn-See).
› Details and tips
👨🏻💻
Max recommends:
I asked for the copy of the Minijob-Zentrale registration — my protection in an accident on the way to work. An unregistered worker is uninsured, and the months never enter the pension record.
👩🏼💼
Lea recommends:
For household help: the household registers via the simplified Haushaltsscheck in 10 minutes online. Insist on it — it gives you the accident cover that is otherwise absent.
Useful Tools
- Minijob-Zentrale Official
Official mini-job registration portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am asked to work two trial days for free. ▾
Trial work with real duties must be paid — only a short look-around without duties can be free. Two days at the till is work.
The boss says a mini needs no contract. ▾
Written terms are a legal duty (Nachweisgesetz), fined since 2022. Refusing the paper is the most reliable sign of worse to come.
Do I declare the minijob in my tax return? ▾
With the usual 2% flat tax (paid by the employer), no — the income stays tax-free for you and does not appear in your return. Only if taxed via your tax class does it belong there.