Millions of workers across the EU continue to earn the minimum wage. These thresholds are meant to provide a basic standard of living for employees, although they often fail to keep up with inflation. According to a Euronews analysis based on Eurostat data, as of July 2025, the minimum gross wages in the EU ranged from €551 in Bulgaria to €2,704 in Luxembourg.

Five EU countries—Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Finland—do not have a national minimum wage at all.

As shown in the chart below, there are significant differences in minimum wages across Europe, and Eurostat groups countries into three wage levels. Euronews added a fourth category that includes countries with a minimum wage below €600, which includes EU candidate countries.

1- Highest Group: More than €1,500

With the exception of France, where the minimum wage is €1,802, all other countries in this top group have a minimum wage exceeding €2,000 per month. In addition to Luxembourg, this group includes Ireland (€2,282), the Netherlands (€2,246), Germany (€2,161), and Belgium (€2,112).

2- Middle Group: €1,000 to €1,500.

In some countries within the middle group, the value is just above the €1,000 threshold.

3- Low Group: €600 to €999

4-Very Low Group: Less than €600

Several countries, including one EU member, have a minimum wage below €600. This lowest group consists primarily of EU candidate countries. It includes North Macedonia (€584), Turkey (€558), Bulgaria (€551), Albania (€408), Moldova (€285), and Ukraine (€164).

Minimum Wages Reflect the East-West Divide As shown on the map below, there is a significant geographical divide in nominal minimum wages across Europe.

This is particularly noticeable between Western and Eastern Europe. In general, the four wage ranges reflect different regions of the EU. The countries in the highest group are predominantly in Western and Northern Europe.

The middle group includes some countries in Southern and Central Europe. The low and very low groups are primarily composed of countries in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and EU candidate countries.

ORIENT