How to Become a Tutor — The Complete Guide for 2026

Do you enjoy explaining things, love helping others learn, and are looking for a flexible side job? Then tutoring might be exactly your thing. The demand is huge, the barriers to entry are low, and the pay is attractive. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started as a tutor in 2026.

What Qualifications Do You Actually Need?

Good news first: you don't need a teaching degree or any special certification. The job title "tutor" is not regulated in Germany — basically anyone with the right subject knowledge can give tutoring lessons.

That said, there are certain qualities that make successful tutors stand out:

Important: Subject knowledge alone isn't enough. The best tutors can explain complicated things simply and have patience when something doesn't click the third time around.

Do I need a university degree? No, but a degree or advanced school knowledge in the relevant subject certainly helps. Students are particularly popular because they're close to the target audience and familiar with current curricula.

Do I need teaching experience? Helpful, but not required. Anyone who's helped younger siblings or friends with homework often brings exactly the right mix of patience and empathy.

Which subjects are most in demand? Mathematics is by far the most sought-after, followed by English, German, Physics, and French. Anyone who can teach these subjects up to advanced level practically has a job guarantee.

5 Steps to Becoming a Successful Tutor

The path from "I could give tutoring" to "I have regular students" is shorter than you think. Here's how to approach it:

1. Define your subjects and grade levels — Think carefully about which subjects you can teach at which levels. Better to offer fewer subjects and excel at them than to spread yourself too thin.

2. Define your target audience — Elementary school, middle school, or exam preparation? Each age group needs a different approach. Younger students need playful methods, while older students need structured exam prep.

3. Decide between online and in-person — Both have pros and cons. Online tutoring is more flexible and reaches more students. In-person tutoring allows for more intensive support. Many tutors offer both.

4. Create a profile on a platform — Sign up at Helpful Folks and create a compelling profile. Describe your subjects, experience, and teaching style. The first 500 members use the platform completely free of charge.

5. Win your first students and collect reviews — Offer a discounted trial lesson to start. Positive reviews are worth their weight in gold and will quickly bring you more inquiries.

What Can You Earn as a Tutor?

Hourly rates vary significantly — depending on qualifications, subject, region, and whether you teach through a platform or privately. Here's a realistic overview:

Qualification	Hourly Rate	Typical Subjects
High school student	€10–15	Elementary subjects
Student (Bachelor's)	€15–20	Math, English, German
Student (Master's)	€20–25	Physics, Chemistry, IT
Experienced professional / Teacher	€25–35	All subjects, exam prep
Specialist (university level)	€30–50	Law, Medicine, Advanced Math

Tip: On Helpful Folks you can see what hourly rates other tutors charge in your region — perfect for orientation.

Example calculation: With 6 hours of tutoring per week at €20, you'll earn €480 per month — that's below the mini-job limit of €603 and therefore tax-free.

Taxes, Registration, and Legal Matters

Before you start, you should clarify a few legal things. Don't worry — it's less complicated than it sounds:

• Freelance, not commercial: Tutoring is considered a freelance activity. You don't need a business license, just register with the tax office as a freelancer.
• Tax-free allowance: Up to an annual income of approximately €11,604, you don't pay income tax. Below that, a simple tax return suffices.
• Mini-job option: If you work through a tutoring institute as an employee, the mini-job limit of €603/month applies (tax-free).
• VAT: As a small business owner (under €25,000 annual revenue), you're exempt from VAT.
• Inform your employer: If you have a main job, notify your employer about the side activity.
• Health insurance: As a student, you typically remain on family insurance as long as you don't earn more than €538 per month.

Tips for Truly Great Lessons

What separates an average tutor from one who gets recommended? These tips make the difference:

• Define goals — At the start, discuss with the student (and parents) what exactly should be achieved. A C in math? Exam preparation? Catching up on basics?
• Assess current level — Find out exactly where the gaps are. Often problems stem from 7th grade, even though the student is already in 10th.
• Prepare your own materials — Don't rely solely on the textbook. Custom exercises, summaries, and cheat sheets show professionalism.
• Document progress — Keep track of what you covered in each session and what progress the student makes. This motivates and builds trust with parents.
• Ask for feedback — Regularly check if the student is comfortable with the pace and method. Good teaching is not a monologue.
• Stay patient — Some students need three explanations, others ten. That's normal and not a sign of inability — neither yours nor the student's.

Conclusion

Becoming a tutor is one of the most flexible and rewarding side jobs out there. You don't need a degree, you can work from home, and you earn €15–35 per hour. The key to success: a great profile, patience in your lessons, and satisfied students who recommend you to others.