Cyprus has positioned itself in the middle of the pack when it comes to minimum wages in the European Union, ranking 12th among the 22 EU nations that set a national baseline. As of January 2025, the island’s minimum wage stands at €1,000 gross per month, according to Eurostat.

That figure is nearly double Bulgaria’s €551—the lowest in the EU—but only a fraction of Luxembourg’s €2,638, the highest in the bloc.

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The European Minimum Wage Landscape

Out of the 27 EU countries, only Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden do not enforce a statutory minimum wage. Across the remaining 22, there’s a stark divide in earnings.

• Below €1,000 per month: Ten EU countries, mostly in Eastern Europe, fall into this category, including Hungary (€707), Latvia (€740), Romania (€814), and Greece (€968).
  
• Between €1,000 and €1,500 per month: Cyprus sits in this range, alongside Portugal (€1,015), Poland (€1,091), and Spain (€1,381).
  
• Above €1,500 per month: Six Western European nations lead the pack, with France (€1,802), Germany (€2,161), and Ireland (€2,282) among them.
  

Minimum wages in the EU, January 2025( in € per month)

The gap between the highest and lowest minimum wages is striking—Luxembourg’s rate is 4.8 times higher than Bulgaria’s. But when adjusted for cost of living, the picture changes.

What Happens When You Factor In Living Costs?

Eurostat’s data shows that once purchasing power parity (PPS) is considered, wage disparities shrink. In real terms, the lowest adjusted wage is 878 PPS in Estonia, while the highest is 1,992 PPS in Germany—meaning the biggest gap is actually 2.3 times, not 4.8.

This metric is critical in understanding how far wages actually go in each country. A €1,000 salary in Cyprus does not stretch as far as it would in lower-cost economies like Romania or Latvia, but it also doesn’t carry the same weight as it would in high-cost markets like Germany or Ireland.

How Minimum Wages Compare To Median Earnings

Another way to assess fairness is to look at minimum wages as a percentage of median earnings. In 2022, France, Portugal, and Slovenia stood out, with their minimum wages accounting for 66% of median gross monthly earnings—suggesting a stronger safety net for low-wage workers.

At the lower end, Belgium (49%), Malta (46%), and Estonia and Latvia (43%) had the weakest relative minimum wages compared to median earnings, indicating a larger income gap within their labour markets.

Cyprus At A Crossroads

While Cyprus’ €1,000 minimum wage keeps it competitive within the EU, the bigger question is whether it provides a decent standard of living relative to local costs. With rising inflation and housing pressures, policymakers will need to consider whether this mid-tier ranking is enough—or if adjustments are needed to ensure workers are not just getting by, but getting ahead.