The European Commission published a Staff Working Document on 23 July 2026 analysing Member State data on minimum wage protection and action plans to promote collective bargaining, as required by Directive (EU) 2022/2041. The document covers data from 2021, 2022, and 2023 submitted by all Member States under Article 10(2) of the Directive, finding upward convergence in minimum wages across the EU, though significant disparities remain and data comparability is limited due to varying national methodologies.
According to the document, 20 Member States rely primarily on statutory minimum wages, while seven (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Sweden) provide minimum wage protection only through collective agreements. In 2023, the highest statutory minimum wages were in Luxembourg (EUR 2,509 per month), Germany (EUR 2,023), and the Netherlands (EUR 1,965), while the lowest were in Bulgaria (EUR 399), Hungary (EUR 615), Latvia (EUR 620), and Romania (EUR 622). The largest nominal increases between 2021 and 2023 were recorded in Hungary (40.8%), Romania (33.7%), and Lithuania (30.8%). In 2023, seven Member States had statutory minimum wages above 60% of gross median wage or 50% of gross average wage.
The document also notes that Member States with collective bargaining coverage below 80% must establish action plans under Article 4(2) of the Directive. The Commission's analysis shows that the data submitted supports the finding of upward convergence, with significant increases helping to maintain purchasing power. However, the report highlights that disparities across Member States persist and that comparability is hampered by differences in national methodologies for calculating minimum wage levels and coverage.
The Staff Working Document accompanies the Commission's report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Directive. The findings will inform future policy discussions on minimum wage protection and collective bargaining in the EU, with the European Parliament and Council expected to review the report and consider any necessary follow-up actions.