As of 1 July 2025, the average annual increase in the national minimum wage in the European Union is well above the rise of the cost of living. It stands at 6.4% for an annual inflation rate of 2.3% at the end of June. Only four European countries out of the 22 that have a minimum wage have implemented a second increase since the beginning of the year, including Greece, which crossed the threshold of €1,000 gross per month in April.
Four of the 22 member states with a national minimum wage have raised it since 1 January: Belgium (2%) in February, Greece (6%) in April, Luxembourg (2.5%) in May and the Netherlands (2.5%) on 1 July. The first two countries had not hiked their minimum wages for a year. Cyprus is the only country that has not raised its minimum wage since January 2024, despite slight annual inflation of 0.5% at the end of June. However, it is expected to be increased from 1 January 2026 in response to trade union demands. A decree, due to be published at the end of the year, should set the minimum wage on an hourly rather than a monthly basis, as well as the size of the increase.
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Article authors
Nathalie Tran
Editor-in-Chief Mind HR