Minimum wage law

A proposed bill by the Ministry of Labor and Social Politics has sparked controversy by suggesting that the minimum wage in Bulgaria should only increase in line with inflation. Although the bill has not yet been made available for public discussion, its contents were revealed through a strong statement from the Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" on their website.

From January 1, 2026, entry-level public sector salaries in Greece will increase in line with the minimum wage set for the private sector, according to a new labor law draft. However, for 2025, a unique approach will apply, as outlined in the draft legislation of the Ministry of Labor, which is open for public consultation until November 21.

A bill on establishing the minimum wage for 2025, 2026 and 2027 was posted for public consultation on Tuesday. The draft law was submitted by the Labor and Social Insurance Ministry and will remain posted until November 21.

Currently, the minimum wage is set at 830 euros, an increase of 28% compared to 2019. 

With the new minimum wage at its heart, Labour Minister Niki Kerameos is today presenting to the Council of Ministers the draft law to transpose the EU directive on decent minimum wages into national law.

Overtime hours increased significantly in 2024, reaching 1.53 million in the first seven months, according to data from the ERGANI system. This rise is largely attributed to the introduction of the digital work card.

Anyone who breaks the law will indeed receive a fine – Over 800 euros increase in the minimum wage

In a move to address economic concerns and improve the standard of living for workers, the Greek government is set to increase the minimum wage by approximately 5%, raising it from the current 780 euros to a range of 820-830 euros.

A commission is set to hold its first meeting later this week to discuss a hike in minimum wages for millions of workers.

Representatives from the government, labor union Türk-İş and the Turkish Confederation of Employers' Association (TİSK) will gather on June 13 at the Labor Ministry.

Finally, the parliament decided that the minimum wage should be 50% of the national average.

The statutory minimum wage in Slovenia this year has been set at €878 net a month, €100 more than the year before in the most substantial rise in a decade. There are concerns the hike will increase pressure for other wages to be raised as well and thus fuel inflation further.