Short-Time Work Benefit Calculator Germany 2026

60 % of the net pay difference, or 67 % if you or your spouse have a child. The net pay difference is the flat-rate net pay of your regular pay minus the flat-rate net pay of your actual pay.

Gross pay rounded to the next 20 €, minus a 20 % flat rate for social insurance, minus income tax and solidarity surcharge for your tax class. It is a calculation only; nothing is withheld.

The benefit itself is tax-free, but it raises the tax rate on your other income when you file a tax return (Progressionsvorbehalt). Setting some money aside for a possible back payment is sensible.

A child allowance of at least 0.5 on your tax card, or a certificate from the employment agency. Your spouse's child allowance also counts if you are both fully taxable and live together.

The regular pay counts only up to the contribution ceiling, 8,450 € a month in 2026, so the benefit stops rising above that level.

The calculation reproduces every value of the Federal Employment Agency's 2026 table, which you can use to check a result. Overtime, one-off payments and special groups such as trainees are not included.