In his introductory statement to the Council of Ministers, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced an increase in the minimum wage to 920 euros.

The increase is of 4.5%.

“In measures to support society, today we will co-decide on a new increase in the minimum wage, the basic wage, from April 1. I want to recall that this is the sixth consecutive increase in the minimum wage, which we had received in 2019 at 650 euros. The minister’s recommendation, and she will explain in detail the rationale behind this recommendation later on, is that the minimum wage should rise to 920 euros. It is a monthly increase of 40 euros from last year. In other words, the cumulative increase in the minimum wage from 2019 is more than 41%. It is more than 3,780 euros per year,” he said.

What about triennials

As the Prime Minister pointed out, “and of course, we must remember that the increase in the minimum wage does not only affect our fellow citizens who are at this salary level, it also brings with it upwards the three-year increments, the grades in the public sector and of course many allowances,” he added.

With the new minimum wage, the three-year terms are as follows:

First: €1,012 (up from €968)

Second: €1,104 (up from €1,056)

Third: €1,196 (from €1,144)

What changes to marriage and unemployment benefits

The increase in the minimum wage brings increases to marriage and unemployment benefits as well.

Specifically in the marriage allowance it is 10%, so an increase in the minimum 92 euros (corresponding 10% increase in the three-year allowance).

In terms of the unemployment benefit, this goes up to €564 from €540

Horizontal increase of 40 euros for civil servants

A horizontal increase of 40 euros will also be seen for civil servants in their salaries.

Minimum wage: which benefits are affected by the increase

  • Special maternity benefit: Minimum wage
  • Parental leave allowance: minimum wage
  • Term of three months on the unemployment register: 15 daily allowances
  • Parole benefit: 15 daily allowances
  • Employment benefits: 20 daily allowances
  • Employer insolvency: up to 3 salaries
  • Builder’s wages: 70% of 37 minimum wages
  • Smiths’ wages: 70% of the 50 minimum wage
  • Salaried for artists, theatres, tourism: 70% of 25 minimum wage
  • Other seasonal (forestry workers – resin harvesters, tobacco workers, potters – ceramicists – bricklayers and shipyard workers): 70% of the 35 minimum wages
  • Benefits for non-employees: Monthly unemployment benefit
  • Employment Benefit: 50% of unemployment benefit
  • Internship allowance (IEK DYPA): 80% of the minimum wage
  • Gaining work experience: Minimum wage
  • Programmes of public utility: Minimum wage
  • Employment schemes: subsidy 50%-90% of minimum wage
  • For working students taking exams: 30 minimum days’ pay for undergraduates / 10 minimum days’ pay for postgraduates