💶 Is the 2026 minimum wage really almost 1,500 euros gross?

Yes

Quick answer

Yes. From 1 January 2026 the minimum wage is 1,481.88 euros gross for full-time work — considerably more than a year earlier. In 2025 it was 1,277.72 euros, so the rise is 204.16 euros gross. The amount is set by the minister each January under the formula in the Minimum Wage Act and published in the Official Gazette; it applies to work done from 1 January 2026 onwards. The myth that 'the minimum wage is 1,277 euros' is therefore out of date from the first of January. Importantly, the minimum wage does not include allowances for night work, Sunday and holiday work, or the length-of-service allowance — these are paid on top of the minimum wage, not into it. The figure of 1,481.88 euros is gross; the net paid to the account depends on tax reliefs and dependants and comes to roughly a thousand euros. For part-time work the minimum wage is paid in proportion to the scope of employment.

📋 The rules

For work from 1 January 2026 the minimum wage for full-time work is 1,481.88 euros gross; in 2025 it was 1,277.72 euros, a rise of 204.16 euros.
The amount is set by the minister responsible for labour each January under the formula in the Minimum Wage Act (ZMinP) and published in the Official Gazette — the figure is therefore revised yearly.
The minimum wage does not include allowances for night work, Sunday and holiday work, or the length-of-service allowance; these are paid on top of the minimum wage.
The stated figure is gross for full-time work; for part-time work it is paid in proportion, and the net amount depends on income tax, reliefs and contributions.
An employer may not pay less than the minimum wage for full-time work; a lower payment is an offence supervised by the Labour Inspectorate.

🔓 Exceptions

For part-time work the minimum wage is paid in proportion to the scope of employment — a worker on half time is entitled to a proportional share of the amount, not the full minimum wage.
Allowances for special working conditions (night, Sunday, holiday work, length of service) are not counted into the minimum wage but added on top — the payslip can therefore be higher than 1,481.88 euros.
The figure is gross: the net payment differs according to tax reliefs and dependants, so two workers on the same minimum wage can receive different net amounts in the account.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

An employer who pays less than the minimum wage for full-time work commits an offence for which the Minimum Wage Act prescribes a fine, and must also pay the difference in arrears together with default interest. Supervision is carried out by the Labour Inspectorate (IRSD), which can issue a corrective order and fine both the legal entity and the responsible person. Underpayment also means under-assessed contributions for pension and health insurance, which reduces the worker's later rights (pension, benefits), so the consequences reach beyond a one-off shortfall in pay. The worker can claim the difference before the labour court, and the law protects them from retaliation by the employer. Since allowances are paid on top of the minimum wage, folding those allowances into the minimum wage is also prohibited and constitutes an offence.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

How much is the minimum wage in 2026?

For work done from 1 January 2026 onwards, the minimum wage for full-time work is 1,481.88 euros gross. That is 204.16 euros more than in 2025, when it was 1,277.72 euros, so older figures quoting 1,277 euros are out of date.

Are allowances counted into the minimum wage?

No. Allowances for night work, Sunday and holiday work, and the length-of-service allowance are not counted into the minimum wage but paid on top of it. An employer may not hide these allowances inside the minimum wage, otherwise it commits an offence.

Is the minimum wage figure gross or net?

The figure of 1,481.88 euros is gross for full-time work. The net paid to the account is lower and depends on income tax, tax reliefs and dependants, coming to roughly a thousand euros, though it varies from one person to another.

Who sets the minimum wage?

It is set by the minister responsible for labour each January under the formula in the Minimum Wage Act and published in the Official Gazette. Because the amount is revised yearly, you should always check the figure for the current year and not trust older notices.

What can I do if I am paid less than the minimum wage?

Paying below the minimum wage is an offence supervised by the Labour Inspectorate. The worker can report the employer to the inspectorate and claim the difference before the labour court, and the law protects them from retaliation for such a report or claim.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“minimum wage 2026 slovenia”
“minimum wage 2026 gross net”
“minimum wage amount slovenia”
“are allowances included in minimum wage”
“minimum wage part time slovenia”
“minimum wage 2025 comparison”