TOOL
German Gross-to-Net Salary Calculator 2026
The offer says gross — your bank account sees much less. Calculate your German net salary with the 2026 figures: wage tax, social contributions, Soli and church tax, with every deduction explained.
Net salary breakdown (monthly)
- Gross
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- − Pension insurance (9.3%)
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- − Unemployment insurance (1.3%)
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- − Health insurance (GKV)
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- − Long-term care insurance
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- − Wage tax (Lohnsteuer)
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- − Solidarity surcharge
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- − Church tax
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- Net to your account
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Social contributions
Taxes
Calculated with the § 32a EStG 2026 tariff and the 2026 social insurance figures. Simplifications: the pension/health allowance (Vorsorgepauschale) is approximated by actual employee contributions, child allowances (€9,756 per child) apply only to Soli and church tax, classes V/VI follow § 39b without special cases, and the Saxony care-insurance split is not modelled. Your employer’s payroll makes the binding calculation. Not tax advice.
✓ Data verified on: 16 July 2026
All rates and thresholds follow the official figures published by the authorities:
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Frequently asked questions
Why is almost half of the salary deducted?
Four social contributions (pension 9.3%, unemployment 1.3%, health ~8.75%, care 1.8–2.4%) plus progressive wage tax. At average incomes the total burden is 35–45% of gross. Your employer pays the other half of the social contributions on top of your gross.
Which tax class will I get after moving?
Automatically: I if single, IV/IV if married and both spouses live in Germany. The III/V combination must be requested at the Finanzamt — worthwhile when one partner earns much more. If your spouse still lives abroad, you usually get class I at first.
What is better for a couple: IV/IV or III/V?
The couple’s total annual tax ends up the same — the difference is monthly withholding. III/V gives the higher earner more net now, but the class-V partner loses disproportionately, and a back payment after the tax return is common.
Do I have to pay church tax?
Only if you are registered as a member of a tax-collecting church. Your denomination is recorded at Anmeldung. Leaving the church (Kirchenaustritt at the Standesamt/Amtsgericht, fee ~€30–60) stops the tax from the following month.
Who still pays the solidarity surcharge?
Only high earners: Soli applies once your wage tax exceeds €20,350 per year (2026; class III: €40,700) — in practice roughly from €6,500–7,000 gross per month. About 90% of employees pay no Soli at all.
Is Kindergeld included in this calculation?
No — Kindergeld (€255 per child per month in 2026) is not a deduction but a separate payment from the Familienkasse after you apply. In this calculator children reduce the care-insurance rate and the Soli/church-tax base.
Why does my first payslip differ from the calculator?
Common reasons: your fund’s Zusatzbeitrag differs, class VI was applied (tax ID not yet issued), benefits in kind are taxed, or you earn above the contribution ceiling. Check the KV contribution and Steuerklasse lines on the payslip.