Minimum wage in Europe: 2026 country ranking

What is the minimum wage in the different European Union countries in 2026? Discover our overview of minimum wages across Europe, expressed as gross hourly rates, as well as the key rules to consider when comparing wage levels across the EU.

The table below shows the statutory minimum wages in all EU countries (gross per hour):

• In countries where the minimum wage is set directly as an hourly rate, the amount corresponds to the official minimum hourly wage.

• In countries where the minimum wage is set on a monthly or annual basis, the hourly rate is calculated according to national rules on working hours and remuneration.

For this reason, the amounts are not directly comparable across all countries.

The hourly rates for the 22 EU countries with a statutory minimum wage are based on the national minimum wage levels applicable in 2026 and the corresponding conversions. Eurostat specifies that national minimum wages are generally expressed as gross amounts before taxes and social security contributions.

📌 Important: A minimum hourly wage is not always directly comparable from one country to another, as minimum wages may be set on an hourly, monthly or annual basis depending on the country. Working hours, paid leave, 13th and 14th salaries, as well as bonuses and other forms of additional remuneration may also vary. International salary comparisons should therefore not be based solely on the hourly minimum wage.

The EU countries with the highest minimum wages in 2026 are:

• Luxembourg: €16.02 gross/hour
• Netherlands: €14.99
• Ireland: €14.15
• Germany: €13.90
• Belgium: €12.54

Germany therefore remains one of the EU countries with the highest statutory minimum wages. For 2027, a further increase to €14.60 has already been decided.

👉 Good to know: With a minimum wage of €12.31 gross per hour, France is above the average among EU countries.

The EU countries with the lowest minimum wages in 2026 are:

• Bulgaria: €3.74
• Latvia: €4.50
• Hungary: €4.90
• Romania: €5.20
• Slovakia: €5.26

The differences between Eastern and Western Europe therefore remain considerable. At the same time, some Eastern European countries have significantly increased their minimum wages in recent years. According to Eurostat, Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Poland have recorded particularly high average growth rates since 2016.

Not all EU countries have a minimum wage set by the state. Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden do not have a national statutory minimum wage.

This does not mean, however, that employees in these countries automatically receive particularly low wages. Collective agreements and sectoral agreements play a central role in these countries. For certain occupational groups, they may establish binding minimum levels of remuneration.

A high minimum wage does not necessarily mean that employees in that country also have the highest purchasing power. The cost of living varies considerably across the EU. Rent, food, energy, insurance and services can also be significantly more expensive in countries with higher minimum wages.

Eurostat therefore also takes into account purchasing power standards (PPS) for an alternative comparison. According to this calculation, Germany is the EU country with the highest minimum wage in terms of purchasing power, followed by Luxembourg and the Netherlands (2026 data).

Find out more:

• Careers in France: Guide for international professionals
• Sales salaries in France and Germany
• Recruitment in France and Germany: 7 best practices

Olivier Geslin