A 3.8% increase in the minimum social wage will be effective from 1 January 2027.
Bill of law 8837[1] to adapt minimum social wage rates to fluctuations in the average salary during 2024 and 2025 (Bill) was introduced into Parliament on 5 October 2026.
It reassesses the minimum social wage by increasing it by 3.8% as follows (index 992.24):
- Qualified employees (120%): gross monthly salary from €3,325.59 to €3,451.92; gross hourly rate from €19.2231 to €19.9533
- Non-qualified employees (100%): gross monthly salary from €2,771.33 to €2,876.60; gross hourly rate from €16.0192 to €16.6278
- Employees (age 17-18) (80%): gross monthly salary from €2,217.06 to €2,301.28; gross hourly rate from €12.8154 to €13.3022
- Employees (age 15-16) (75%): gross monthly salary from €2,078.49 to €2,157.45; gross hourly rate from €12.0144 to €12.4708
Employers paying employees the minimum social wage will have to pass on the increase of EUR 105.27 per month gross for a full-time non-qualified employee or EUR 126.33 per month gross for a full-time qualified employee, with these amounts reduced pro rata for part-time employees.
At this point, the Bill has only been submitted to Parliament: it still has to follow the legislative process before it is finally enacted. Assuming the Bill is enacted unamended, the new provisions must enter into force on 1 January 2027.
Arendt's Employment Law, Pensions & Benefits team is available to answer any questions that you may have.
[1] Bill of law 8837 amending Article L.222-9 of the Labour Code.
Authors:
- Raphaëlle Carpentier, Counsel at Arendt
