In Germany social security contributions are a set percentage of your earnings and are shared between the employer and employee. The numbers for 2024 are given in the table below.

More details

Social securityTotal contribution rateEmployer's share of the total contribution rate
Health insurance15.8%7.9%
General contribution rate14.6%7.3%
Reduced contribution rate*14.0%7.0%
TK-specific supplementary contribution rate1.2%0.6%
Average supplementary contribution rate1.7%0.85%
Long-term care insurance **3.4%1.7% ***
Surcharge for childless individuals aged 23 and above0.6%0%
Pension insurance18.6%9.3%
Unemployment insurance2.6%1.30%

* for example this applies to the self-employed who have insurance cover but who are not entitled to sick pay

** This contribution rate may be even less if you have more than 1 child. More information in German on long-term care insurance contributions:  Beiträge zur Pflegeversicherung  

*** in Saxony: 1.2%

Employer contributions and pension contributions

The employer pays half of the contribution rate for employees, apprentices and trainees. The German Statutory Pension Insurance Scheme pays half of the contributions for retirees who have statutory insurance cover.

Here you can calculate your personal contribution rate:

Calculate your contribution rate