Increase or decrease in wages? How Countries are addressing the Cost of Living.
Various countries across the globe have announced the increase in their minimum wages. This article gives a detailed summary of the minimum wage increase and effective dates as per each country.
Belarus:
Effective 1st November, 2024 to 31st January 2025, foreign nationals planning to sponsor their dependent spouses should earn BYN 2468.58 a month for a couple and those who are planning to sponsor a child would additionally need to earn at least BYN 09-436.16
per child per month. These figures were up from BYN 2,462.26 for spouse and BYN 273.78 – 428.23 for a child per month.
These figures are to be updated quarterly.
Belgium:
Belgium has announced the increase for all the three regions separately and the changes are as follows:
Flanders:
With effect from 1st January, 2025, gross earnings increase are as follows:
1. Highly Skilled Permits:
- Executives: EUR 78, 259 up from EUR 74,611
- Highly Skilled: EUR 48,912 up from EUR 46,632
- Locally hired under 30 young graduates/nurses: EUR 39,129.60 up from EUR 37,305.60
2. EU Blue Card: EUR 63, 586 up from EUR 60,621
3. EU Intra – Company Transfer Permit
- Managers: EUR 78,259 up from EUR 74,611
- Specialists & Trainees: EUR 48, 912 up from EUR 46,632
Wallonia:
Similar to Flanders, Wallonia’s increase are also effective from 1st January, 2025.
1. Highly Skilled Permit:
- Executives: EUR 86,110 up from EUR 83,936
- Highly Skilled: EUR 51,613 up from EUR 50,310
- Under 30 employees: EUR 41, 290 up from EUR 40,248
2. EU Intra – Company Transfer Permit:
- Managers : EUR 66,738 up from EUR 65,053
- Specialists: EUR 53,390 up from EUR 52,042
- Trainees: EUR 33,370 up from EUR 32,327
3. EU Blue Card:
- General: EUR 66, 738 up from EUR 65,053
- Recent Graduates (less than 3 years after higher education graduation): EUR 53,390 up from EUR 52,042
Brussels:
Brussels have updated their 2025 minimum salary increase on the 2nd of October, 2024. All the salaries are mentioned on per month basis instead of annual.
1. Highly Skilled Permit:
- Executives: EUR 6,647 up from EUR 6,445.60
- Highly Skilled: EUR 3,703.44 up from EUR 3,591.12
2. EU Blue Card: EUR 4,478 up from EUR 4,604
3. EU Intra- Company Transfer Permit
- Managers: EUR 5,460.20 up from EUR 5,294.60
- Specialists: EUR 4,510.60 up from EUR 4,373.80
- Trainees: EUR 2,611.40 up from EUR 2,532.20
Bulgaria:
Effective 1st January, 2024, the national minimum wage is set to increase from BHN 780 per month to BGN 933 per month.
Czech Republic:
With effect from 1st January, 2025, the minimum salary for employee card and work permit/employee card which is equivalent to the national minimum wage will increase to CZK 20,800 per month from CZK 18,900 per month.
France:
All the increases in France are effective November 1, 2024.
1. Minimum wage and talent passports:
- Hourly minimum wage is increased from EUR 11.65 to EUR 11.88
- Monthly gross minimum wage is increased from EUR 1,766.92 to EUR 1,802.26
2. Talent Passport:
- Employee on mission: EUR 38,928.78 from EUR 38,165.47
- Young Graduate: EUR 43,254.20 from EUR 42,406.08
- Legal Representative: EUR 64,881.30 from EUR 63,609.12
3. Graduate Job Seeker:
- EUR 32,440.65 from EUR 31,804.56
Montenegro:
Minimum salaries are increased in Montenegro with effect from 1st October, 2024. The salaries are based on the education the candidate holds and Montenegro previously didn’t make the distinction between educational qualifications.
1. Positions requiring first – fifth level educational qualifications: EUR 600 net per month.
2. Positions requiring sixth level or higher education qualifications: EUR 800 net per month.
3. Part – time employees: Part-time employees must receive at least 50% of the national minimum wage as applicable to their educational qualifications.
Türkiye:
The national minimum wage in Türkiye was increased in 1st January, 2024. But, with effect from 1st October, 2024 minimum salary have been increased for few roles.
1. High level managers and pilots: TRY 100,012.50 gross per month down from TRY 130,016.25
2. Engineers and architects: TRY 80,010 gross per month up from TRY 53,658
3. Managers: TRY 60,007.50 gross per month down from TRY 80,010
4. Employees with expertise: TRY 40,005 gross per month down from TRY 60,007.50
5. All other positions (excluding domestic worker): TRY 20,002.50 (minimum wage) down from TRY 30,003.75
United Kingdom:
From April 2025, the minimum wage is increased according to the age in UK.
1. 21 or over: GBP 12.21 per hour
2. 18-20: GBP 10 per hour
3. Under 18: GBP 7.55 per hour
4. Apprentice: GBP 7.55 per hour
Apprentices are entitles to the apprentice rate if they are either:
- Aged under 19
- Aged 19 or over in the first year of apprenticeship
Source:
Minimum Salary Changes Announced | Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK