Skip to content Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced an increase of around 4.5% in the monthly minimum wage, which will rise to €920 gross from April 1st, 2026, an increase of €40 compared to the previous level of €880. The government’s target is to reach €950 by 2027.
Socioeconomic context
Overall, between 2019 and 2026, the minimum wage has increased by approximately 41%, reflecting a sustained effort by the government to recover losses from the previous decade. Despite this nominal growth, high inflation linked mainly to the energy crisis and international tensions has continued to significantly reduce households’ purchasing power.
According to the latest Eurostat data published in February 2026, the average annual disposable income in Greece in 2025 was €10,850 per capita.
Criticism and demands
According to Prime Minister Mitsotakis, the minimum wage increase translates into an annual gain of over €3,780 compared to 2019 for workers, and forms part of a broader rise in labour incomes, with average wages for full-time employees reportedly exceeding €1,500.
In contrast, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) considers the measure insufficient to offset the loss of purchasing power caused by rising prices for essential goods, energy, and housing. The union argues that, to ensure a decent standard of living in 2026, the gross monthly minimum wage should be at least €1,052.
Concluding remarks and future developments
The increase in Greece’s minimum wage represents a signal of economic recovery after years of crisis, but it remains a subject of debate between the government and social partners. Future developments will depend on the country’s ability to balance wage growth, inflation control, and economic sustainability, in a context still marked by uncertainty over energy prices and the broader European economic outlook.