Slovakia to increase minimum wage and maternity benefits

Slovakia is set to see increases in both the minimum wage and maternity benefits due to statutory calculation mechanisms linked to average wages.

Minister of Labor Erik Tomáš announced that the minimum wage will rise to 972 euros starting in January 2026, up from 915 euros this year. This increase is determined by a legal formula set at 60% of the average nominal monthly wage from two years prior. The adjustment affects approximately 120,000 employees at the basic level, with up to 160,000 people impacted when considering different levels of job difficulty. The minister estimated that the minimum wage could reach 1,016 euros by 2028.

Additionally, the maximum maternity benefit is projected to increase in 2027. For a 31-day month, the ceiling could reach 2,476.70 euros, which is nearly 150 euros higher than current levels. These limits are adjusted annually based on the average wage. While the ceiling is rising, most parents will receive benefits calculated from their specific income, meaning the increase primarily benefits those at the highest income brackets.