Slovakia’s minimum wage will rise to a historic high of €915 a month in 2026. Since unions and employers failed to agree on next year’s level, the statutory “automatic” increase applies. This means wages will jump by €99 – the sharpest rise in recent years, amounting to more than 12 percent. The new formula raises the minimum wage from 60 percent of the average wage, instead of 57 percent as before.
Labour Minister Erik Tomáš explains: “It was right that we introduced this new mechanism last year – next year the minimum wage will cross €900, and by 2027 it will approach €1,000.”
Prime Minister Robert Fico welcomed the increase as well, noting that a higher minimum wage also raises night and weekend bonuses. He added that fears of job losses in weaker regions have never materialised, and Slovakia is now enjoying record-low unemployment.
But employers disagree. Roman Karlubík, representing business associations, warns: “Large companies have already had to lay off workers. Rising wages are unsustainable – further increases risk higher inflation and lower economic performance.”
Unions, however, wanted an even higher rise. Union leader Monika Uhlerová argues: “Given necessary expenses and purchasing power, the minimum wage should be higher. It remains below levels in Poland and the Czech Republic. We must ensure wages support a dignified life.”
Agreements on the minimum wage are rare, with consensus reached only in 2022 and 2023. Employers argue that compromise would be easier if wage bonuses were no longer tied to the minimum wage. The Labour Ministry, however, says linking them to average wages would be even more costly for companies. According to Radovan Ďurana from the Institute of Economic and Social Studies bonuses should instead be negotiated at company level — noting that operating a Sunday shop is very different from staffing a three-shift factory with night work.
Source: STVR, TASR
