What applies in 2027
| Cost driver or rule | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wage group 1, 2026 | €15.00 per hour | in force |
| Wage group 1, 2027 | Employers offer €15.27 from May 2027 (+1.8%); the IG BAU union demands €17.00 (+13.3%) | pending |
| Pay round | third round of negotiations on 3 November 2026 in Cologne | pending |
| Sector minimum wage by ordinance | valid until 31 December 2026 | temporary |
| Statutory minimum wage | €14.60 from 1 January 2027, below the current sector minimum wage | adopted |
Why now is the right time
The minimum wage collective agreement for the commercial cleaning sector expires on 31 December 2026. In wage group 1, the current rate is €15.00 per hour. The IG BAU union is demanding €2.00 more in all wage groups for twelve months, i.e. €17.00 in wage group 1.
In the second round on 22 October 2026, the employers presented a first offer: a 24-month term, no increase until April 2027, then 1.8% from May 2027 and 1.6% from January 2028. In wage group 1, that would be €15.27 from May 2027. IG BAU rejected the offer; the third round takes place on 3 November 2026 in Cologne.
For your contracts, this means: until a settlement is reached, the range in wage group 1 lies between 1.8% from May 2027 (the employers’ offer) and 13.3% (IG BAU’s demand). If your service provider announces an increase now, agree to it only after the settlement, and only on the wage component.
The statutory minimum wage rises to €14.60 on 1 January 2027. It is below the current sector minimum wage of €15.00 and does not in itself justify an increase in commercial cleaning.
Many contracts pass collective wage increases through to the total price across the board, i.e. also to materials, administration and profit. If you renegotiate now, you determine what may rise in 2027.
Has your service provider already announced an increase? Check it against the collective agreement and reply using our ready-made wording.
What makes up the price
In routine cleaning, wages are the largest cost block. Added to this are materials, machines, site supervision, administration and profit. How much area a cleaner covers per hour determines the price per square metre more than the hourly rate does.
Six points where cleaning contracts cost money
- Price adjustment clause on the total price. If the agreed wage rises by 5%, the entire price rises by 5%, even though only the wage component is affected. A fair adjustment applies only to the wage component, with evidence. How a fair clause is structured.
- Outdated floor areas. Conversions, closures and new uses change the areas. The billing often stays the same.
- Cleaning frequency unrelated to use. Daily cleaning where twice a week would do, or gaps where there is heavy use.
- Low productivity rates. If the agreed area per hour is below usual values, you pay for hours that nobody needs.
- Special cleaning without framework prices. Window, deep and carpet cleaning are quoted individually and therefore become expensive.
- Term and payment terms. Automatic renewals without a price discussion, and short payment terms without an early payment discount.
Before you agree to an increase
Ask your service provider in writing:
- What share of the price is the wage component, and which wage group do you assign the staff to?
- Which areas and which cleaning frequency is the billing based on?
- Which productivity rates, i.e. area per hour, do you calculate with?
- How is the price adjustment clause structured, and does it apply only to the wage component?
- At what prices do you charge for special cleaning?
For the review, you need: the contract with the specification of services, the schedule of areas, the cleaning plan, the invoices for the last twelve months and the most recent price adjustment.
How we renegotiate cleaning contracts
We recalculate your price per square metre from the wage component and productivity rates, check areas and cleaning frequency against your actual use, and apply the collective wage increase to the wage component. Our senior negotiators negotiate large contracts in person, together with your buyer. We handle the many small contracts in a standardised, software-supported way, according to your rules. You approve every deal.
Frequently asked questions about commercial cleaning
Can the cleaning service provider pass on collective wage increases?
Your contract determines whether and how, usually through a price adjustment clause. A fair clause links only the wage component to the collective agreement and sets a notice period for announcing increases.
What is the minimum wage in commercial cleaning in 2027?
Still open. The minimum wage collective agreement expires on 31 December 2026. For 2026, the minimum wage in wage group 1 is €15.00 per hour. In the second round of negotiations on 22 October 2026, the employers offered not to raise wages until April 2027, then to raise them by 1.8% from May 2027 (€15.27 in wage group 1) and by 1.6% from January 2028. IG BAU is demanding €2.00 more for twelve months, i.e. €17.00. The third round is on 3 November 2026. We will update this page once a settlement has been reached.
What does routine cleaning cost per square metre?
That depends on the building, the cleaning frequency and the region. In the Terms Check, we recalculate your price per square metre from the wage component, productivity rates and cleaning frequency.
Is a new tender worthwhile?
Renegotiating with your existing service provider saves switching costs and onboarding. A tender is worthwhile if service or price deviates significantly from the market.
Sources
- Minimum wage collective agreement for commercial cleaning
- IG BAU on the second pay round, 22 October 2026
- Fünfte Mindestlohnanpassungsverordnung (Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance)
- Bundesinnungsverband (employers’ association) on the second pay round, 22 October 2026
- Zehnte Gebäudereinigungsarbeitsbedingungenverordnung (tenth ordinance on working conditions in commercial cleaning), valid until 31 December 2026
