Germany Brutto-Netto Rechner — Net Salary Calculator (2026)
Germany's payslip has more deductions than most countries — income tax, solidarity surcharge, and four separate social insurance contributions. This calculator estimates your net (Netto) salary from your gross (Brutto), so you know roughly what actually lands in your account each month.
Simplified approximation of the German wage tax system — actual Lohnsteuer uses a more complex formula and your specific Steuerklasse. Use an official Brutto-Netto-Rechner for payroll-exact figures.
A simplified approximation of German wage tax and social insurance for 2026. Health insurance rate varies by provider (an average rate is used); actual Lohnsteuer depends on your exact Steuerklasse.
How to use this tool
- Enter your annual gross salary (Brutto).
- Select single or married status, and whether you have children (affects the care insurance surcharge).
- Tick church tax only if you're registered with a tax-collecting church in Germany.
- Press Calculate for an estimated net salary and full deduction breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Germany deduct so much from gross salary?
Beyond income tax, German payroll includes four separate social insurance contributions — pension, unemployment, health and long-term care — each with its own rate, roughly splitting the cost 50/50 with your employer. Combined, deductions commonly reach 35-45% of gross for average earners, which is higher than many other countries.
What is the solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag)?
It's an extra charge on top of income tax, originally introduced to fund German reunification. Since a 2021 reform, most employees no longer pay it — it only kicks in once your income tax liability passes a fairly high threshold, so most middle-income earners are now exempt.
Do I have to pay church tax in Germany?
Only if you're formally registered as a member of a tax-collecting religious community (mainly Catholic or Protestant churches) — it's recorded via your registration (Anmeldung) and appears automatically on your payslip if applicable. You can leave the church to stop paying it, which is a formal, separate process (Kirchenaustritt).
Is this calculator as accurate as an official Brutto-Netto-Rechner?
It's a close estimate, not exact — the real German wage tax formula (Lohnsteuer) is a more complex continuous function, and your actual Steuerklasse, specific health insurer's additional rate, and state can shift the numbers slightly. Use this to understand the shape of your deductions, and an official calculator for payroll-exact figures.