The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS) plans to propose a minimum wage of around 600 euros during the upcoming negotiations for 2026. These talks between the unions, employers, and the Serbian government are scheduled to begin on August 18.
Zoran Mihajlović, president of SSSS, stated to Beta that while the exact figure has not yet been finalized, the proposal will be close to 600 euros. He noted that even with the recent increase to approximately 550 euros, Serbia’s minimum wage remains lower than those in most former Yugoslav republics.
Currently, the government has raised the minimum wage to 58,630 dinars (about 500 euros), effective from October 1, up from 53,592 dinars (around 457 euros). Finance Minister Siniša Mali previously announced the government’s goal to raise the minimum wage to 650 euros by January 1, 2028.
Officially, about 90,000 workers in Serbia earn the minimum wage, though the real number of minimum wage earners is believed to be higher.
For comparison, minimum wages across the region in 2025 are:
- Slovenia: Gross 1,278 euros (net 900–930 euros)
- Croatia: Gross 970 euros (net over 750 euros)
- Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: About 511 euros
- Republika Srpska: Around 460 euros
- Montenegro: 450 euros
- North Macedonia: The lowest in the region at 370 euros
Trade unions have criticized President Aleksandar Vučić for announcing minimum wage figures ahead of negotiations, which they say undermines the negotiation process. The negotiations should conclude by September 15. If no agreement is reached by then, the government will set the minimum wage amount.
