Germany - Agreement for public sector workers - February 28, 2026

After three days of tough and difficult negotiations, an agreement has been reached for the approximately 2.2 million public sector employees in the Länder (federal states). It provides for a total wage increase of 5.8% over a 27-month period, implemented in three stages. Trainees will receive a total increase of € 150. The agreement provides for a 2.8% pay increase, but at least € 100, starting 1 April 2026, a further increase of 2% starting 1 March 2027, and a third increase of 1% starting 1 January 2028. The salaries of junior staff will increase in three stages at the same times by a total of € 150. Furthermore, working conditions in the eastern part of the country will finally be aligned with those in the western part. The collective agreement is set to run for 27 months, until 31 January 2028.

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For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.