The minimum wage in Serbia will increase by 9.4% starting in October, reaching over 500 euros, as agreed at a session of the Socio-Economic Council (SES) of Serbia.
Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski, Chairwoman of the Serbian Workers’ Confederation and Minister of Labor, stated that the decision was unanimous and a result of social dialogue. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali explained that the minimum wage will rise from 53,592 dinars (about 450 euros) to 58,630 dinars (around 500 euros). The hourly wage will increase from 308 to 337 dinars.
Mali also mentioned plans to raise the minimum wage by 10.1% from January 1, 2026, which would bring it to 550 euros. Negotiations for this increase will start in late August or early September.
Trade union representatives expressed mixed views. Zoran Mihajlović from the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions said the increase is welcome but should have started earlier, around July, to better protect citizens’ living standards. He also indicated they will push for a higher minimum wage in 2026.
Zoran Ilić from UGS “Nezavisnost” welcomed the government’s extraordinary decision and looks forward to upcoming negotiations.
Miloš Nenezić, President of the Employers’ Union, supported the increase, highlighting Serbia’s economic growth, rising profits, employment, and wages over the past seven years. He credits the government’s policies for empowering employers and benefiting citizens.
