Portugal Slips in Minimum Wage Position Rankings
Minimum Wages in the European Union: A Comparative Analysis
In the European Union, the minimum wages vary significantly from country to country, with some providing a comfortable living and others struggling to meet basic needs.
As of 2025, Greece does not have a national minimum wage set by the government, as it abolished its statutory minimum wage in 2023 and plans to replace it with sectoral minimum wages negotiated by social partners. Portugal, on the other hand, has a minimum wage of approximately 870 euros per month, with plans to increase gradually to 1,100 euros by 2029.
Countries like France and Poland fall within a range of 1,000–1,500 euros in purchasing power for their minimum wages. However, the net minimum wage varies by country after taxes and social contributions, and its actual purchasing power depends significantly on local living costs. Despite these nominal minimum wages, except for Belgium, in almost all EU countries, including Portugal, the net minimum wage falls short of covering the average monthly cost of living including rent for a single adult.
Portugal ranks low in this comparison, with its minimum wage inadequate to meet living costs, despite planned incremental increases. Belgium is the only EU country where the net minimum wage exceeds living expenses for a single adult.
In the European rankings, Portugal ranked 11th during the first months of 2025. However, it has since fallen one position, with countries like Slovakia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Estonia in the last group of countries with lower minimum wages. Greece, which increased its minimum wage in the spring of 2025, currently ranks above Portugal, with a minimum wage of approximately 880 euros over 14 months.
The ranking of European countries with minimum wages between 1,000 and 1,500 euros in purchasing power parity includes Slovenia, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, and Hungary. The five Member States that do not have a guaranteed minimum wage in the European Union are Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden.
The minimum wage rankings in the European Union have been fluctuating for Greece and Portugal. Last year, Greece did not increase its minimum wage at the beginning of the year, causing Portugal to rank 11th. However, in April of 2024, Greece increased its minimum wage, causing Portugal to rank 12th.
In conclusion, the minimum wages in the European Union present a mixed picture. While some countries provide a livable income, others struggle to meet basic needs. The ongoing challenge is to ensure that statutory minimum wages provide a livable income when adjusted for purchasing power parity and local costs.
[1] Gisma University of Applied Sciences (2025). Minimum Wage Report. [2] INSEE (2025). SMIC 2025. [3] Central Statistical Office (2025). Minimum Wage in Poland. [4] Eurostat (2025). Minimum Wages in the EU.
- In the realm of personal-finance, Portugal's minimum wage, though planned to increase by 2029, is currently insufficient to cover living costs according to the 2025 report by Eurostat.
- For businesses in Portugal, the minimum wage of approximately 870 euros per month presents a challenge, as it does not meet the average monthly cost of living, including rent for a single adult, as stated in the 2025 report by Eurostat.
