How to read the table
These are gross monthly minimum wages for full-time work, before tax and social insurance, as published by Eurostat for July 2026. Countries outside the euro are converted at Eurostat’s exchange rate, so their figures move with the currency. Where the minimum is paid 14 times a year (Greece, Spain, Portugal), Eurostat spreads it over 12 months so all countries are comparable.
A higher minimum does not always mean more money left at the end of the month: rent and prices differ a lot. Use the table to compare, then check net pay and rent for the city you are moving to.
Countries without a national minimum wage
Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have no single national minimum wage. Pay floors are set by collective agreements for each sector, and they are often higher than in countries with a legal minimum. Ask for the collective agreement (Tarifvertrag, contratto collettivo, kollektivavtal) that covers your job.
Frequently asked questions
Is this gross or net?
Gross. Taxes and social insurance come off, so take-home pay is lower; how much depends on the country.
Why are Italy and Sweden missing?
They have no national statutory minimum wage; minimum pay is set sector by sector in collective agreements.
How often is it updated?
Eurostat publishes the figures twice a year (January and July). We update the table from each release.
Can my employer pay me less as a foreigner?
No. Where a legal minimum exists it applies to every employee working in that country, whatever their nationality.
Sources
Official Eurostat figures; national rules (age, apprentices, sector agreements) can change what applies to you. Disclaimer.