The minimum wage in Europe varies by a factor of ten depending on the country. While workers in Luxembourg earn over €2,700 a month, in some countries this figure barely exceeds €150–300. Learn more about where in Europe the minimum wage is highest and see the full ranking

Minimum wage levels in Europe vary significantly—the difference between countries can be as much as tenfold. These figures are confirmed by a study from the Visual Capitalist platform, citing official Eurostat statistics.

While some countries offer over 2,000 euros per month even for entry-level positions, others remain at a level of just a few hundred euros. This gap reflects not only economic development but also the states’ approach to labor market regulation.

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Where in Europe are the highest minimum wages?

Minimum wage levels in Europe show significant differences between countries—in some states, they exceed 2,000 euros, while in others they remain within a few hundred euros.

The highest minimum wage in Europe is recorded in Luxembourg—2,704 euros per month. By comparison, in Ukraine this figure is only €164, meaning the difference is approximately 16-fold.

Ireland ranks second with a minimum wage of €2,282. This high figure is explained by the presence of large international companies, particularly American technology corporations.

The United Kingdom ranks third—€2,279 for a standard 37.5-hour workweek. This country was the first in Europe to introduce a minimum wage as early as 1909.

Minimum Wages in Europe (Comparative Infographic). Source: Visual Capitalist, based on Eurostat data

Countries with the highest minimum wages also include:

- Netherlands – €2,246

- Germany – €2,161

- Belgium – €2,112

- France – €1,802

- Spain – €1,381

- Slovenia – €1,278

- Poland – €1,100

Even among the leaders, a gradual decline in figures is evident, highlighting the uneven nature of economic development across Europe.

To learn more about the ranking of minimum wages in Europe in 2026, please follow the link.

Wage disparities in Europe

The level of the minimum wage in Europe clearly demonstrates a divide between regions—both in terms of income levels and approaches to their regulation.

In Eastern Europe, only Poland and Slovenia have a minimum wage exceeding 1,000 euros per month. In other countries in the region, this figure remains significantly lower, reflecting differences in economic development.

At the same time, in Northern European countries—Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland—there is no single state-set minimum wage. Here, wage levels are determined through collective bargaining agreements between employers and labor unions, which often results in even higher actual incomes than in countries with a fixed “minimum wage.”

A similar approach is applied in other European countries:

1. Switzerland does not have a single national minimum wage—it is set by individual cantons or industries. For example, in Geneva, the minimum wage for a 40-hour workweek is 4,667 euros.

2. In Austria, the minimum wage is determined through collective bargaining agreements and is approximately €1,700.

4. In Italy, there is also no single nationwide minimum wage—it depends on the economic sector and the worker’s qualifications.

This approach demonstrates that in Europe, not only the state of the economy plays an important role, but also the model of labor market regulation—whether legislative or contractual.

By the way, in our previous article, we talked about the cheapest countries to live in in 2026.

Top 10 European Countries with the Highest Minimum Wages

The ranking of countries with the highest minimum wages in Europe is led by Western European nations. It is here that the highest social standards and income levels are concentrated.

The top ten include:

1. Luxembourg – €2,704

2. Ireland – €2,282

3. United Kingdom – €2,279

4. Netherlands – €2,246

5. Germany – €2,161

6. Belgium – €2,112

7. France – €1,802

8. Spain – €1,381

9. Slovenia – €1,278

10. Poland – €1,100

It is interesting to note that even within this list, the difference between the first and tenth positions exceeds €1,600, highlighting significant income inequality even among relatively developed economies.

It is worth noting separately that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are only just beginning to catch up with Western Europe and are currently ranked at the bottom of the list.

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Top 10 European Countries with the Lowest Minimum Wage

At the opposite end of the ranking are countries where the minimum wage remains among the lowest in Europe. These are predominantly countries in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where economic indicators still lag significantly behind those of Western countries.

This list includes:

1. Ukraine – €164

2. Moldova – €279

3. Albania – €408

4. Bulgaria – €551

5. Turkey – 558 euros

6. North Macedonia – 584 euros

7. Serbia – 618 euros

8. Montenegro – 670 euros

9. Hungary – 727 euros

10. Latvia – 740 euros

The lowest figure was recorded in Ukraine—€164 per month—which differs significantly from levels in Western European countries. This gap demonstrates deep economic inequality between regions.