Serbia has one of the lowest statutory minimum wages in Europe, according to figures published by Eurostat ahead of negotiations over the country’s 2027 wage floor.
Negotiations are scheduled to begin Aug. 10, with labor union representatives expecting the Serbian government to propose a monthly net minimum wage of €600.
Serbia’s current net minimum wage—after taxes and mandatory contributions—is approximately 65,000 Serbian dinars, or about €550 per month.
Eurostat’s figures, which compare gross statutory minimum wages as of July 1, 2026, place Serbia near the bottom of the European rankings at €743 per month before taxes and contributions.
Only a small group of countries included in the comparison had lower minimum wages:
- Ukraine: €169
- Moldova: €313
- Albania: €531
- Bulgaria: €620
- Turkey: €621
- North Macedonia: €624
- Montenegro: €670
At the beginning of 2025, Serbia’s minimum wage was lower than those in Montenegro and Turkey. Three increases over the following 18 months moved Serbia above both countries.
However, minimum wages remain higher across most of the rest of Europe. Latvia’s gross monthly minimum stands at €780, followed by Romania at €825, Hungary at €906, Slovakia at €915 and the Czech Republic at €923.
Estonia’s minimum wage is €946, while Malta’s is €994. Croatia has crossed the €1,000 mark, reaching €1,050 per month.
Portugal and Greece each have a minimum wage of €1,073, while Cyprus stands at €1,088. Poland’s minimum is €1,119 and Lithuania’s is €1,153.
The gap becomes considerably larger in Western and Southern Europe. Spain’s gross minimum wage is €1,425, Slovenia’s is €1,482 and France’s is €1,867.
Five countries have statutory monthly minimum wages exceeding €2,000:
- Belgium: €2,234
- Netherlands: €2,338
- Germany: €2,343
- Ireland: €2,391
- Luxembourg: €2,771
Eurostat did not publish comparable figures for Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
Serbian officials have said the country’s net minimum wage could reach €650 by the end of 2027, although labor unions believe that target is more realistic for 2028.
Serbia raised its minimum wage by 13.7% in January 2025, followed by another 9.4% increase in October, bringing it to approximately €500. A further 10.1% increase took effect in January 2026, raising the amount to €550.
While the increases have improved earnings for the country’s lowest-paid workers, they have also raised costs for employers. According to the report, the rapid adjustments contributed to the closure of some businesses.
Unions therefore do not expect the government’s next proposal to exceed €600. They are also concerned about wage compression, which occurs when the minimum wage rises much faster than median and average salaries.
This can narrow the pay difference between entry-level employees and workers with more complex or demanding responsibilities, potentially reducing incentives for advancement and pressuring employers to increase other salaries as well.
