Portugal falls in lower positions concerning minimum wage standards
In the European Union, minimum wages vary significantly from country to country. At the lower end of the spectrum, Bulgaria boasts the least generous minimum wage, while Luxembourg holds the title of the highest[1].
In the beginning of 2025, Portugal saw a rise in its minimum wage from 820 euros to 870 euros[2]. This adjustment was a result of a Social Concertation agreement between the government, employers, and workers' unions[2][3]. Greece followed suit, increasing its minimum wage by €59 during the spring of 2025[1]. This later increase propelled Greece ahead of Portugal, moving Greece to 11th place and Portugal to 12th in the EU minimum wage rankings[1].
As of mid-2025, Portugal's minimum wage stands at €870 gross monthly, calculated over 14 payments (including Christmas and vacation allowances)[2]. Despite these increases, Portugal still faces challenges, with the minimum wage not covering basic living expenses for a single adult in most EU countries, including Portugal[3]. The cost of living in Portugal is relatively moderate compared to other EU countries, but the official minimum wage, when adjusted for cost-of-living considerations, amounts to approximately €760 net[4].
Greece's minimum wage, as of current information, is €1,027 over 12 months (equivalent to approximately €880 over 14 months)[1]. This places Greece's minimum wage 12 euros above Portugal's, which currently stands at €1,015 over 12 months (equivalent to approximately €870 over 14 months)[1].
It is worth noting that five Member States of the European Union do not have a guaranteed minimum wage: Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden[1]. On the other hand, Slovakia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Estonia are among the countries with lower minimum wages in the EU. Estonia holds the distinction of having the lowest minimum wage in the EU, at 551 euros over 12 months[1].
In contrast, Slovenia, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, and Hungary are grouped together with minimum wages between 1,000 and 1,500 euros (in purchasing power parity)[1].
These wage adjustments reflect ongoing efforts by both Portugal and Greece to address economic pressures and standards of living. However, minimum wages in Portugal and Greece still rank in the middle tier of EU countries and struggle to fully cover living costs for individuals[1][3][4].
References:
[1] Eurostat. (n.d.). Minimum wages in the EU. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/DS-2021-0512
[2] Government of Portugal. (2025). Social Concertation agreement. Retrieved from https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/conselho-de-ministros/-/noticia/2025/01/01/acordo-social-de-concertacao
[3] European Trade Union Confederation. (2025). Minimum wages in the EU. Retrieved from https://www.etuc.org/minimum-wages-eu
[4] European Commission. (2025). Cost of living in Portugal. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/living-working-eu/moving-or-working-abroad/working-eu/working-portugal/cost-living_pt
- Engaging in personal-finance planning, an individual in Portugal might consider the impact of the recent increase in the minimum wage to €870 per month, while still recognizing that this amount falls short of covering basic living expenses in the country.
- Given the lower minimum wage in Portugal compared to Greece, some businesses may find it advantageous to expand or invest in the European country, particularly in light of the relatively moderate cost of living there.
