Can an employer pay less than the minimum wage?
No — paying less than the minimum wage is prohibited. From 1 January 2026 the minimum monthly wage (MMA) in Lithuania is €1153, and the minimum hourly pay (MVA) is €7.05. This is an important stale-figure trap: the internet is still full of the 2025 sums — €1038 and €6.35, but they no longer apply. The figures are set each year by the Government on the Tripartite Council's recommendation. The MMA may be paid only for unskilled work — work that needs no special skill or qualification. If a job requires qualification, the pay must exceed the MMA. Take-home from the MMA is about €846. Some thresholds are pegged to the MMA, so when the wage changes they change too — always check the year.
📋 The rules
- MMA from 1 Jan 2026: €1153/month, MVA — €7.05/hour
- In 2025 it was €1038 and €6.35 — stale figures
- The MMA may be paid only for unskilled work
- Skilled work must be paid above the MMA
- Set yearly by the Government; take-home ~€846
🔓 Exceptions
- For skilled work the MMA may not be paid — such pay must be higher
- For part-time work the wage is proportional, but the hourly rate cannot fall below €7.05
- Some benefits and thresholds are pegged to the MMA, so they change each year when the wage is revised
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not paying the MMA is an expensive mistake for the employer. The minimum wage is mandatory: an agreement to pay less is void, even if the employee signed it. Once a breach is found, the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) orders the difference to be paid for the whole period and can impose an administrative fine for breaching pay rules. Undeclared or underpaid wages mean unpaid taxes, so alongside the VDI the tax authority (VMI) and Sodra step in with extra assessments and interest. For the worker, a too-low official wage cuts sickness, maternity and unemployment benefits and the future pension, because these are calculated on declared sums. Repeat breaches raise the fines and can trigger tighter oversight of the company.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
From 1 January 2026 the minimum monthly wage is €1153, and the minimum hourly pay is €7.05. These figures replaced the €1038 and €6.35 per hour that applied in 2025, so older numbers are now out of date.
Are the €1038 figures online still correct?
No, €1038 and €6.35 per hour were the 2025 figures. Many sources have not updated them, so when checking your pay always confirm which year the MMA refers to, because from 2026 the figure is €1153.
Can everyone be paid the MMA?
No. The minimum wage may be paid only for unskilled work that needs no special skills. If a job requires qualification, the pay must be higher than the minimum monthly wage, and paying only the MMA would be unlawful.
How much of the MMA is take-home?
From the €1153 MMA an employee keeps about €846 after taxes, if the full tax-free allowance applies. The exact figure depends on individual circumstances, such as pension saving or other deductions from the pay.
What happens to an employer who pays less?
The State Labour Inspectorate can order the wage difference to be paid and impose an administrative fine. Because underpayment also means unpaid taxes, the tax authority and Sodra can bring additional claims against the employer.
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