Increase or decrease in wages? How Countries are addressing the Cost of Living?
Multiple countries across the globe have announced the changes in their minimum wages. This article gives a detailed summary of the wage changes and effective dates as per each country.
Croatia:
Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Croatia will increase to EUR 970 gross per month, up from EUR 840.
Estonia
With effect from January 1, 2025, the minimum wage will increase to EUR 886 per month, up from EUR 820.
Germany:
Germany has announced salary changes effective January 1, 2025 across various job roles as follows:
EU Blue Card:
- Shortage occupation: EUR 43,759.80, up from EUR 41,041.80.
- Non-shortage occupation: EUR 48,300, up from EUR 45,300.
- Young professionals (individuals who obtained their education qualifications in the three years prior to applying for an EU Blue Card): EUR 43,759.80, up from EUR 41,041.80.
Specialists with extensive work experience. EUR 43,470, up from EUR 40,770.
Skilled Worker Permit / Local Hire Permit: Applicants aged 45 and older will be EUR 53,130 up from EUR 49,830 per year. Otherwise, applicants must evidence adequate retirement provisions.
National minimum wage: The national minimum wage will increase to EUR 12.82 per hour, up from the current EUR 12.41. The change does not affect employment-based permit holders, who are required to receive the market salary rate for their position
and qualifications.
Hungary:
Alike Germany, Hungary has introduced changes for different job roles effective January 1, 2025.
EU Blue Card category: The minimum salary level for the EU Blue Card will be HUF 883,671 up from HUF 773,649. As an exception, EU Blue Card applications for the following health-care related roles will be subject to a lower minimum salary level of
HUF 706,936 up from the current HUF 618,919: dietitians and nutritionists, general practitioners, midwives, nurses, optometrists, paramedics, pharmacists, and physiotherapists.
Single Permit for Local Hire and Short-Term Work Permit categories:
- Non-graduate roles: HUF 290,800 up from HUF 266,800.
- Graduate roles: HUF 348,800 gross per month, up from HUF 326,000.
Latvia:
With effect from January 1, 2025, the national minimum wage is getting increased to EUR 740 per month, up from EUR 700.
Along with that funds for sponsored dependents are increased as follows:
Applicants must additionally receive:
Spouse: Same as the national minimum wage
Children: EUR 222 per month, up from EUR 210 per child