Hungary proposes salary increases for educators and school staff

A new budget proposal for 2027 outlines further salary increases for Hungary's education sector. According to the draft legislation, teachers and educators will receive an average gross pay increase of 5.5 percent, affecting approximately 164,000 workers at a cost of 120 billion forints.

Additionally, the proposal includes a pay raise for 76,000 staff members who support educational and instructional work, such as pedagogical assistants, nannies, and librarians. These workers are slated to receive a 15 percent gross increase, which, combined with tax reductions, could result in a 21.5 percent increase in net earnings. This measure involves a 61 billion forint expenditure.

The salary adjustments are part of a multi-year process that began in January 2024. The government aims to ensure that teacher salaries reach at least 80 percent of the average salary for university graduates, a commitment made to the European Commission.