Mini-jobs: There has been more money since October - but what are the advantages of mini-jobs?
Created: 11/21/2022, 1:00 p.m
By: Carina Blumenroth
Earn 520 euros as a mini-jobber – this has been possible since October.
But what are the advantages and disadvantages of mini-jobs for employees?
There are many working models in Germany - for example full-time employment, part-time employment, 75 percent jobs or even mini-jobs.
The model is suitable for some people as a part-time job in addition to their main job.
But what exactly is that and what are the advantages and disadvantages for employees?
Salary limit raised for mini-jobbers
Mini-jobbers have been allowed to earn 520 euros per month since October 2022.
© McPhoto/K.
Steinkamp/Imago
In October, the statutory minimum wage in Germany was raised nationwide to 12 euros - at the same time the earnings limit for mini-jobbers was adjusted.
Previously, you were allowed to earn 450 euros in a mini job, since October 2022 an additional income of 520 euros per month is possible.
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Advantages of a mini job
You do not have to pay taxes or social security contributions.
This means that you will not be subject to any deductions.
Likewise, your employer does not have to pay any income tax, only flat-rate taxes on wages are due.
They enjoy rights similar to those of permanent employees.
For example, you have protection against dismissal, receive continued payment of wages in the event of illness and are entitled to vacation, as reported by the
Juraforum
on its website.
Disadvantages of the mini job
What was mentioned as an advantage also has a downside.
Because you do not pay social security contributions, you are not insured.
You are not entitled to unemployment benefits.
You are compulsorily insured in the pension insurance, but you can be exempted from this upon application.
However, this means that you only have a small pension entitlement or, if you are exempted, no pension entitlement at all.
Anyone who only relies on mini-jobs has a higher risk of falling into poverty in old age, as the employment agency reports on its own website.
With an income of up to 520 euros per month, you are not covered by health insurance.
You may have to take out voluntary health insurance or take out compulsory insurance.
The employment agency writes on its own website that many mini-jobbers have problems because they are denied rights such as protection against dismissal or the right to a job reference.
If you feel the same way, you can get advice.
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What happens if the 520 euro limit is exceeded?
You can earn up to 520 euros a month with your mini job without worrying.
In principle, it is also possible for you to have two part-time jobs that do not earn you more than 520 euros in total.
But what happens if you get over the earnings limit?
If you regularly earn more than 520 euros, you no longer have a mini job and you have to pay social security contributions.
If the 520 euro limit is occasionally exceeded, however, things look different.
Unforeseeable exceeding of the 520 euro limit is possible.
The de minimis threshold may not be more than twice as high.
This means that the earnings can be 1,040 euros per month.
An occasional overrun means a period of up to three calendar months in a time year.
