As of 1 January 2026, several important changes will come into effect in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. These changes are particularly relevant for people who live or work across borders. They concern, among other things, the minimum wage, child benefits and the income threshold for mini-jobs. Below, we provide an overview of the most important developments and explain what cross-border workers should pay attention to.
Minimum wage 2026: increase in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium
Netherlands
The Dutch minimum wage was increased as of 1 January 2026. For employees aged 21 and over, it now amounts to €14.71 per hour.
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is adjusted twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.
The exact amounts for younger age groups and further information are available on the website of the Dutch government (Rijksoverheid).
Germany
Germany’s statutory minimum wage also increases. From 1 January 2026, it will be €13.90 gross per hour.
This represents an increase of €1.08 compared to 2025. This rise affects not only regular employees but also mini-job workers.
Mini-job threshold in Germany increases to €603
Due to the higher minimum wage, the income limit for mini-jobs is also adjusted. Since 1 January 2026, it amounts to €603 gross per month (previously €556).
This allows mini-job workers to earn more without becoming subject to social security contributions. The new threshold still allows for working hours of up to approximately 10 hours per week.
Without this adjustment, mini-job workers would have had to reduce their working hours. We already informed readers about important special aspects to consider when accepting a mini-job in a previous article.
Belgium
Unlike many other countries, Belgium does not have a statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are regulated through collective agreements between trade unions and employers. Since these agreements are concluded at sector level, minimum wages may vary depending on the sector.
As of 1 January 2026, the so-called Guaranteed Average Minimum Monthly Income (GAMMI) increased. It now amounts to €2,154.11 gross per month for full-time employment of 38 hours per week. This corresponds to an hourly wage of approximately €13.08 gross.
Child benefits 2026: changes in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium
Netherlands: child benefits increased
Child benefits (kinderbijslag) also increased in the Netherlands. The new amounts apply from 1 January 2026 and will be paid for the first time in early April 2026.
New child benefit amounts from 2026:
| Age of the child | Amount per quarter |
| 0 to 5 years | €295.07 |
| 6 to 11 years | €358.30 |
| 12 to 17 years | €421.53 |
Germany: child benefits increased
The German Bundestag has approved an increase in child benefits. From 1 January 2026, child benefits amount to €259 per month per child.
Further details can be found on the website of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
Belgium: no indexation of family benefits (yet)
Unlike in some other countries, Belgian family benefits are not indexed as of 1 January 2026. The adjustment of the amounts had already taken place earlier and varies by region.
In Flanders, the amounts of the Flemish “Groeipakket” were indexed in September 2025. In Wallonia and in Brussels, the indexation of family benefits took place in February 2025. In the German-speaking Community, the indexation of family benefits for 2025 and 2026 was suspended.
Since then, no further adjustments have been made as of 1 January 2026. The currently applicable indexed amounts can be found on our website.