Practical guide · 18 June 2026

Four social contributions on a German employee payslip

Learn the basic purpose of four common German employee social contributions before reading your first payslip.

Documents, calculator, and pen arranged on a table

An employee payslip in Germany often lists several social-insurance deductions. They are separate systems, even when payroll calculates them together.

Health insurance

Health insurance contributions support medical cover through your chosen statutory fund when you are in the public system. The contribution generally combines a standard rate and a fund-specific additional rate, subject to the rules and contribution ceiling in force.

Long-term care insurance

Long-term care insurance appears alongside health insurance but covers a different risk: support needs arising from long-term dependency. Factors such as age, parental status, and place of residence can affect the employee share.

Pension insurance

Statutory pension contributions build entitlements under the German pension system. Your contribution record matters, so retain annual social-security reports supplied by employers.

Unemployment insurance

This contribution supports the unemployment insurance system. Eligibility for benefits depends on conditions beyond merely seeing the deduction on a payslip.

Rates and ceilings can change. Use current official sources or ask payroll about the values used for a particular month.

This guide is general information, not individual legal, tax, or insurance advice. Rules can change; confirm your position with the responsible institution.