Minimum wages in European countries vary significantly: in some countries, they are more than two thousand euros, while in others they are several times less. In 2026, the difference between countries became even more pronounced, especially when the cost of living is taken into account. Learn more about where in Europe the minimum wage is the highest and what these figures mean in practice

The level of the minimum wage in Europe in 2026 shows a striking contrast between countries. In some countries, the minimum wage exceeds two thousand euros per month, while in others it remains at the level of several hundred. For those planning a move or looking for a job abroad, these figures often become one of the key benchmarks.

The data for this review is based on Euronews Business analytics, which used official Eurostat statistics as of early 2026. The study takes into account not only the nominal amounts of minimum wages in different countries, but also purchasing power indicators, which allow for a more objective comparison of real incomes in different parts of Europe.

In this article, we will look at the highest and lowest minimum wages in Europe, why there is such a difference between countries, and how the picture changes if we look not only at the figures in euros, but also at how much money can be actually spent in everyday life.

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Leaders and laggards in terms of minimum wage in Europe in 2026

According to Eurostat, millions of workers in 22 EU countries receive the minimum wage (or less). For ease of comparison, the countries are conditionally divided into three groups according to the level of minimum wages in 2026. This gradation clearly shows the scale of the gap between the “top” and the countries with the lowest rates.

Over 1,500 euros per month

This group includes the countries with the highest minimum payments. Luxembourg remains the absolute leader (over €2,700). Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium are also in the top. Even the lowest figure in this category (France) is significantly higher than the minimum wages in most other European countries.

From 1,000 to 1,500 euros

The middle segment is formed by the countries of Southern and Central Europe: Spain, Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Portugal, Croatia, and Greece. Here, minimum wages no longer look so “high” compared to Western Europe, but still provide a relatively stable basic income for employees.

Less than 1,000 euros

The largest group is countries with minimum wages below €1,000. Bulgaria has the lowest rate among EU members. The situation is even more complicated in non-EU countries: in particular, in Albania, Turkey, and Moldova, the minimum wage is significantly lower than in most EU countries.

It should also be borne in mind that a number of developed European countries (Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland) do not have a national minimum wage. The level of remuneration there is determined by collective bargaining agreements between employers and trade unions. This makes direct comparisons difficult, as there is no formal “minimum wage” as a single indicator in these countries.

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Purchasing power: the real picture of income in European countries

Comparing minimum wages in euros alone is not entirely correct, as the cost of living in different European countries varies significantly. What looks like a “high” amount on paper can only cover basic expenses in expensive countries, while in cheaper ones it can provide a relatively comfortable standard of living. That is why the purchasing power indicator is used for a more objective comparison.

Eurostat converts nominal salaries into euros using the purchasing power parity (PPP) coefficient and converts them into the so-called PPS units. This approach shows not just the amount of payments, but also how much goods and services can actually be purchased with this money in each country.

If you look at minimum wages in terms of PPS, the gap between countries becomes noticeably smaller. For example, Germany comes out on top in terms of the real “value” of the minimum wage, ahead of even Luxembourg. At the same time, some countries are radically changing their positions in the ranking: Romania moves up significantly due to lower prices within the country, while the Czech Republic and Estonia, on the contrary, lose ground due to relatively high living costs.

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Dynamics and reasons for the gap between minimum wage levels in 2026

In 2026, changes in minimum wages did not occur in all European countries. Some workers did not see any increase in their wages at all compared to the second half of 2025. At the same time, in some countries, the minimum wage increased quite significantly, which partially narrowed the gap between the “poorer” and “richer” European countries.

The most dynamic increases in minimum wages were recorded in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Lithuania, which showed the fastest growth rates in 2026. In other countries, the changes were much more modest or the minimum wage remained at the same level.

Experts of the European Trade Union Institute identify several key reasons why there is such a large gap in the level of minimum wages between countries.

1. First, it is the overall level of labor productivity: economies with strong financial, technological and industrial sectors are able to provide higher basic payments.

2. Secondly, the influence of trade unions and the strength of collective bargaining play an important role. Where workers' bargaining power is stronger, wages tend to grow faster.

3. Third, the structure of the economy matters: more industrialized countries traditionally outperform countries with a predominantly agricultural sector.

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We remind you! Which countries became the richest in the world in 2026 and how did the global ranking change over the year? New economic indicators show who was able to increase their GDP and who lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. The ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 and the main changes of the year can be found at the link.

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