An estimated 12.8 million workers across 22 European Union countries earn the minimum wage or less, according to Euronews analysis of Eurostat data. Many have been watching annual wage announcements closely, but around a third of minimum wage earners saw no increase between July 2025 and January 2026, with no rise at all over the past year in four countries.

As of January 2026, monthly gross minimum wages vary widely. They range from €620 in Bulgaria to €2,704 in Luxembourg. Five countries record minimum wages above €2,000: Luxembourg, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. France sits below this group at €1,823, while Spain stands at €1,381, highlighting sharp differences even between neighbouring countries.

When living costs are taken into account using purchasing power standards, the gaps between countries become narrower. In PPS terms, minimum wages across the EU range from 886 in Estonia to 2,157 in Germany. Some eastern and candidate countries improve their relative position, while others, including Czechia and Estonia, fall in the rankings. There is no statutory minimum wage in Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark or Finland.