With wage garnishment (Lohnpfändung), part of your earnings is seized directly from your employer. You always keep a basic amount.
Key points
- If your net income is no more than €1,587.40 per month, none of it can be garnished (effective since 1 July 2026).
- The protected amount increases if you pay legally required maintenance: by €597.42 for the first person and by €332.83 for each additional person.
- An official table sets out exactly how much can be garnished. The calculation can be complicated in individual cases.
- Your employer is required to cooperate. Dismissal solely because of wage garnishment (Lohnpfändung) is generally not permitted.
- The creditor has an enforceable title (Vollstreckungstitel)
- The court issues a garnishment order (Pfändungsbeschluss)
- The employer receives the order
- Only the garnishable portion is paid to the creditor
Your employer learns about the garnishment and the claim because they must transfer the garnishable portion. They do not need to know any further details about your finances.
Yes. A debt advice service (Schuldnerberatung) can check whether maintenance obligations (Unterhaltspflichten) and protected allowances (Freibeträge) have been taken into account correctly.
MeaNext provides general information about debt, payment reminders (Mahnungen), garnishment (Pfändung) and financial problems. This information does not replace individual debt, legal or financial advice. Deadlines, contracts, types of claims and personal circumstances may be crucial in your particular case.
Last reviewed by a specialist: 09/10/2026
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.