Which EU country has the highest minimum wage in 2026?

Luxembourg, at €2,704 a month (gross), followed by Ireland (€2,391), Germany (€2,343) and the Netherlands (€2,295). Once differences in local prices are removed, Germany has the highest minimum wage in purchasing-power terms.

Which EU country has the lowest minimum wage?

Bulgaria, at €620 a month in January 2026, followed by Latvia (€780) and Romania (€795). In purchasing-power terms the gap with richer countries is much smaller than the headline euro figures suggest.

Which countries have no minimum wage?

Five EU countries have no statutory national minimum wage: Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland and Sweden. They set pay through collective bargaining between unions and employers instead, and remain among Europe's higher-paying economies.

What is the UK minimum wage in 2026?

From 1 April 2026 the UK National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour — about £2,065 a month for full-time work. Lower rates apply to younger workers: £10.85 for ages 18–20 and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.

Are these minimum wages gross or net?

Gross — they are the amount before income tax and the employee's social-security contributions are deducted. What you actually take home is lower and varies by country; the salary calculator shows the net figure.

How often do minimum wages change?

Most countries review their minimum wage once a year, usually in January (the UK updates in April). Eurostat republishes the figures every January and July, so mid-year changes appear at the next update.

Minimum wage

Minimum wage in Europe 2026

Updated 14 June 2026

On 1 January 2026, 22 of the 27 EU countries had a national minimum wage. Monthly gross rates run from €620 in Bulgaria to €2,704 in Luxembourg — a more than fourfold gap that narrows sharply once local prices are taken into account. Five EU countries — Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland and Sweden — have no statutory minimum wage at all, setting pay through collective bargaining instead. The table below ranks every country with a statutory rate; figures are gross, before income tax and social-security contributions.

#	Country	Monthly minimum wage (gross)
1	Luxembourg	€2,704
2	Ireland	€2,391
3	Germany	€2,343
4	Netherlands	€2,295
5	Belgium	€2,112
6	France	€1,823
7	Spain	€1,381
8	Slovenia	€1,278
9	Lithuania	€1,153
10	Poland	€1,139
11	Cyprus	€1,088
12	Portugal	€1,073
13	Croatia	€1,050
14	Greece	€1,027
15	Malta	€994
16	Czechia	€924
17	Slovakia	€915
18	Estonia	€886
19	Hungary	€838
20	Romania	€795
21	Latvia	€780
22	Bulgaria	€620

Spain and Slovenia: latest confirmed rate, with the 2026 update pending at publication. Estonia and Romania: 2026 figure not yet set. Source: Eurostat (earn_mw_cur), 1 January 2026.

The five EU countries with no minimum wage

Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland and Sweden have no national statutory minimum wage. Instead, pay floors are set sector by sector through collective agreements between unions and employers, which in practice cover most workers. So “no minimum wage” does not mean low pay — these are among Europe's higher-wage economies.

The United Kingdom

Outside the EU, the UK sets its minimum hourly rather than monthly. From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour — about £2,065 a month for a 37.5-hour week, or roughly €2,430. Lower bands apply below 21: £10.85 for 18–20-year-olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.

See your net pay on any salary →

Minimum-wage figures are gross. Use the salary calculator to see take-home pay in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy or the UK.

Minimum wage in Europe: FAQ

Which EU country has the highest minimum wage in 2026?: Luxembourg, at €2,704 a month (gross), followed by Ireland (€2,391), Germany (€2,343) and the Netherlands (€2,295). Once differences in local prices are removed, Germany has the highest minimum wage in purchasing-power terms.
Which EU country has the lowest minimum wage?: Bulgaria, at €620 a month in January 2026, followed by Latvia (€780) and Romania (€795). In purchasing-power terms the gap with richer countries is much smaller than the headline euro figures suggest.
Which countries have no minimum wage?: Five EU countries have no statutory national minimum wage: Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland and Sweden. They set pay through collective bargaining between unions and employers instead, and remain among Europe's higher-paying economies.
What is the UK minimum wage in 2026?: From 1 April 2026 the UK National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour — about £2,065 a month for full-time work. Lower rates apply to younger workers: £10.85 for ages 18–20 and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.
Are these minimum wages gross or net?: Gross — they are the amount before income tax and the employee's social-security contributions are deducted. What you actually take home is lower and varies by country; the salary calculator shows the net figure.
How often do minimum wages change?: Most countries review their minimum wage once a year, usually in January (the UK updates in April). Eurostat republishes the figures every January and July, so mid-year changes appear at the next update.