SPECOPSLAB

EGB vs KSK

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of EGB and KSK, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

GERMANYFallschirmjäger — Erweiterte Grundbefähigung (EGB), Spezialisierte Kräfte des HeeresEGB selection — test week limits (2023 procedure)APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventEGBKSK
7 km march with 20 kg (combat boots, field uniform)52 minonly this unit—
200 m swim in uniform (Kleiderschwimmen) + undress in the waterKSK: 200 m swim in combat uniform (+ undress in water)8:007:30stricter
Obstacle course with helmet, weapon and goggles2:20only this unit—
10 km individual speed march (Eilmarsch)80 minonly this unit—
Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)—7only this unit
Sit-ups (30 s)—20only this unit
Push-ups, hand-release (30 s)—22only this unit
Coordination course—2:00only this unit
Casualty transport (approx. 38 m, 2 obstacles)—2:00only this unit
20 km march with 20 kg—210 minonly this unit

Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

KSK sets the higher minimum in: swim 200.

EGB tests 4 events, KSK tests 7 events.

Pay

EGB
€4,040 / monthWhat an EGB paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger mit Erweiterter Grundbefähigung) earns · Feldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
KSK
€4,541 / monthWhat a KSK commando soldier (Kommandosoldat) earns · Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is EGB or KSK harder to get into?

KSK sets the higher minimum in: swim 200. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.

How do the EGB and KSK fitness tests differ?

EGB: 4 events (march 7k, swim 200, obstacle, march 10k). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).

Does EGB or KSK pay more?

EGB: €4,040/month (Feldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3); KSK: €4,541/month (Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3) (default scenarios, gross). The default scenarios use different ranks and seniority, so this is not a like-for-like comparison — set the same rank in the pay calculator on each unit page.

Sources:
EGB
KSK