Germany Salary Calculator 2026: Income Tax, Social Contributions & Net Salary
Germany has one of the highest tax-and-social-contribution burdens in the world. A gross salary (Bruttolohn) of €55,000 typically results in a net salary (Nettolohn) of approximately €33,000-€36,000 depending on your tax class, church membership, and state of residence. German income tax uses a progressive formula — not fixed brackets — that starts at 14% and climbs smoothly to 42% for income above €66,761, with a top rate of 45% on income exceeding €277,826.
On top of income tax, German employees pay the Solidaritätszuschlag (solidarity surcharge) of 5.5% of their income tax if the tax exceeds certain thresholds, though most earners below €100,000 are now exempt. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) adds 8-9% of income tax for registered members of Catholic or Protestant churches. Social insurance contributions are the largest deduction: health insurance (~7.3% plus supplementary), pension (~9.3%), unemployment (~1.3%), and long-term care (~1.7-2.3%) are split roughly equally between employer and employee.
This calculator converts your German gross salary across all pay frequencies and accounts for holidays and vacation days. Germany mandates a minimum of 20 vacation days for full-time workers (most employers offer 25-30), plus 9-13 public holidays depending on the federal state, making the adjusted salary particularly relevant for German workers.
Key Data & Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Income Tax Range | 14% - 45% (progressive formula) |
| 42% Bracket Begins | €66,761 |
| 45% Top Rate Begins | €277,826 |
| Solidarity Surcharge | 5.5% of income tax (high earners) |
| Church Tax | 8-9% of income tax (if member) |
| Social Insurance (employee) | ~20% of gross (pension, health, etc.) |
| Minimum Vacation Days | 20 days (most get 25-30) |
| Median German Salary | ~€44,000 |
Pre-Calculated Examples
| Scenario | Gross | Net / Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| €35,000 Gross | €35,000 | €23,100 | Tax ~€4,700 + Social ~€7,200 (Tax Class I, no church) |
| €55,000 Gross | €55,000 | €34,200 | Tax ~€9,700 + Social ~€11,100 (Tax Class I, no church) |
| €75,000 Gross | €75,000 | €44,400 | Tax ~€16,500 + Social ~€14,100 (Tax Class I, no church) |
| €100,000 Gross | €100,000 | €56,500 | Tax ~€26,500 + Social ~€17,000 (Tax Class I, no church) |
Calculate Your Salary
Salary Information
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Who Uses This Calculator?
Brutto-Netto comparison
Convert your German gross salary (Brutto) to net take-home pay (Netto) by accounting for income tax, solidarity surcharge, and all social insurance contributions.
Tax class optimisation
Compare the impact of different Steuerklassen (tax classes I through VI) on your monthly net pay, especially relevant for married couples choosing between III/V and IV/IV combinations.
Church tax decision
Calculate the exact cost of church tax membership (Kirchensteuer) at your income level to make an informed decision about church registration in Germany.
Expat salary negotiation
Understand the significant gap between gross and net salary in Germany to negotiate appropriate compensation when relocating from countries with lower tax burdens.