Minimum Wage Adjustment Increases Cost Pressure in Logistics
As of January 1, 2026, the statutory minimum wage in Germany will rise to €13.90 per hour. This change will lead to significant additional costs for the logistics sector. Areas with a high proportion of personnel, such as transport, handling, and warehousing, will be particularly affected.
According to recent evaluations, approximately 8.5 percent of employees earned less than the new minimum wage shortly before the adjustment. Companies will need to increase wages or reorganize existing salary structures. This not only affects the directly impacted employees but also adjacent pay groups.
Industry representatives expect that rising personnel costs can only be partially offset by productivity gains. In many companies, the margins for maneuver are limited. Effects are therefore increasingly seen in freight rates, surcharges, and contract negotiations.
The timing coincides with a phase of ongoing strain. High energy prices, investments in sustainability, and a shortage of skilled workers further intensify the pressure. For many companies, cost control will become a central management task.
Fact List Evidence
• Minimum wage rises to €13.90 starting January 2026
• Approximately 8.5 percent of employees were previously below this wage threshold
• Logistics is among the labor-intensive sectors
• Expected impacts on transport prices and margins
• Need for adjustments in wage structures and contracts
For Freight Portal Users
Rising wages directly affect transport costs. Shippers should anticipate price discussions. Freight forwarders face the challenge of increasing efficiency or passing on costs. Private individuals feel the effects indirectly through higher prices and adjusted delivery models. In the long term, personnel remains a critical cost factor.
Sources
Federal Government. bundesregierung.de
Federal Statistical Office. destatis.de
trans.info
