EU Sources - Upward trend in minimum wages continues - March 31, 2026

A new report from the Institute of Economic and Social Research WSI shows that minimum wages across the EU continued to increase in 2026, as member states align their systems with the EU directive on adequate minimum wages. Minimum wages were increased in 18 of the 22 EU countries with statutory wage floors at the start of the year. In several eastern European countries, increases were particularly high, with Slovenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary all recording double-digit nominal growth. Germany also implemented an increase of 8.4%, its largest adjustment so far. In real terms, minimum wages continued to grow despite inflation, with a median increase of 2.9% across the EU. The report notes that minimum wages have risen faster in lower-wage countries, contributing to a narrowing of differences across the EU.

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