New increase in the Dutch minimum hourly wage from January 1st, 2026 

From January 1^st, 2026, the minimum wage in the Netherlands will increase. The new hourly rate will rise to €14.71 for workers aged 21 and over. 

Dutch minimum hourly wage

The minimum hourly wage was introduced in the Netherlands on January 1^st, 2024. This resulted in the abolition of fixed minimum wages on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis. 

To determine an employee’s monthly salary, the following must be taken into account: 

• The actual hours worked; 

• The hours of holiday leave; 

• The hours of sick leave. 

In addition, to ensure greater alignment with collectively agreed average wages, the Dutch government adjusts the minimum hourly wage twice a year, on January 1^st and July 1^st. 

New rates 

The Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has approved a new increase of approximately 2.15% in the minimum hourly wage, effective January 1st, 2026. 

The minimum wage will increase from €14.40 to €14.71 and applies to all workers aged 21 and older. Employees aged between 15 and 21 will continue to benefit from the youth minimum wage, which increases gradually and proportionally with age. 

Below are the new minimum hourly wage rates in the Netherlands, updated as of January 1st, 2026: