Public sector employees in Greece are set to see a uniform monthly salary increase following the government’s decision to raise the minimum wage by €40.

The adjustment applies horizontally across the public sector, reflecting the role of the minimum wage as a baseline for calculating public salaries. The total fiscal cost of the measure is estimated at €358 million for 2026.

Broad Impact on Public Pay

The increase does not stand alone. Combined with earlier income tax reductions introduced in January and additional wage interventions in sectors such as the armed forces, security services and foreign affairs, total salary increases for public employees are expected to reach around €1 billion in 2026.

Over a four-year period from 2023 to 2026, the cumulative annual fiscal cost of these increases is estimated at approximately €3.3 billion.

When Employees Will See the Increase

Although the new wage adjustment takes effect in April 2026, some employees may see the increase reflected in their May payslips due to administrative processing timelines. In such cases, the April difference will be paid retroactively.

How Salaries Are Changing

The €40 gross monthly increase translates into smaller net gains depending on tax and personal circumstances, typically ranging between €22 and €31 per month. However, when combined with tax relief measures, the overall monthly benefit can be significantly higher.

For example:

• A mid-career employee with dependents could see total monthly net gains of around €60 or more.
• Younger employees without prior experience may receive an overall monthly increase of about €60 when tax changes are included.
• Senior staff and managers will also benefit, though the net increase may be slightly lower due to taxation.

Annual gains compared to 2025 vary depending on the employee profile, ranging from a few hundred euros to over €1,700, while comparisons with 2023 show even larger increases in take-home pay.

Wider Effects Across the Public Sector

The wage adjustment affects base salaries under the unified public pay scale, including family allowances and responsibility bonuses. It does not include additional earnings such as overtime, performance incentives or special allowances, which may also have been adjusted separately.