From 2026, the minimum monthly wage in Lithuania will increase. This is one of the most important labour market changes affecting tens of thousands of employees across the country.
Although the minimum wage is adjusted regularly, many people still ask the same questions: how much it will be, when the new amount will apply, and who it applies to.
Below is a clear overview of the minimum wage changes in Lithuania starting from January 1, 2026.
New minimum wage in Lithuania in 2026
Starting from 2026, both the minimum monthly wage (MMA) and the minimum hourly wage will increase.
| Period | Minimum monthly wage | Minimum hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| Until the end of 2025 | €1038 gross | €6.35 gross |
| From January 1, 2026 | €1153 gross | €7.05 gross |
When the new minimum wage applies
The minimum wage is applied based on the period for which the salary is calculated, not the date when the salary is paid.
If an employee receives their salary in January 2026 for work performed in December 2025, the previous minimum wage (€1038) still applies.
Who can be paid the minimum wage
The statutory minimum wage may only be applied to unskilled work. This refers to jobs that do not require specific qualifications or professional training.
If an employee performs qualified work, the salary should reflect the responsibilities, qualifications, and nature of the job.
Monthly vs hourly minimum wage
- Monthly minimum wage applies to employees working full-time.
- Hourly minimum wage applies to employees paid based on hours worked.
Therefore the total monthly income may vary depending on the number of hours worked.
Bonuses cannot replace the minimum wage
The minimum wage requirement must be met through the base salary. Employers cannot set a lower base salary and compensate the difference with bonuses or additional payments.
Do employment contracts need to be updated?
If an employment contract specifies a fixed salary amount (for example €1038), the contract must be updated after the minimum wage increases.
If the contract states “minimum monthly wage”, the change usually happens automatically and the contract does not need modification.
FAQ about the minimum wage in Lithuania in 2026
What will the minimum wage be in Lithuania in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly wage in Lithuania will be €1153 gross.
How much is the minimum wage after taxes?
Here is the exact calculation. MMA 2026 = €1,153 gross. Using 2026 rates:
- Social insurance (employee share): 19.5% → €224.84
- NPD (non-taxable income amount): 747 − 0.49 × (1,153 − 1,038) = 747 − 56.35 = €690.65
- Income tax base: 1,153 − 224.84 − 690.65 = €237.51
- GPM income tax (20%): €47.50
- Net take-home pay: ≈ €880.66
Calculate your own salary with the gross to net salary calculator.
Does the new minimum wage apply to salary for December 2025?
No. Salary for work performed in December 2025 is still calculated using the previous minimum wage of €1038.
Can an employer pay less than the minimum wage?
No. Employers must pay at least the statutory minimum wage for full-time work.
Source: Lithuanian State Labour Inspectorate.
What Employees and Employers Should Check
From 1 January 2026, the minimum wage should be checked together with the working-time norm written in the employment contract. If a person works part time, the monthly minimum is applied proportionally to the agreed working time. If the person works full time, the base salary cannot be lower than the official monthly minimum wage in force at that time.
Employers should review employment contracts, payroll settings, and budget assumptions before the new rate starts. The minimum wage can also affect the context for some allowances, payroll thresholds, and social insurance calculations. Employees should check their payslip to see whether non-taxable income, personal income tax, and social insurance contributions were applied correctly.
If there is uncertainty, ask the employer for a written payroll explanation first. For unresolved questions, the State Labour Inspectorate is the relevant institution for labour-law guidance. Official amounts and dates should always be verified through Lithuanian legal acts or institutional announcements.
How to use the minimum wage figure in practice
The Lithuanian minimum wage is a gross amount, so it is important to separate three different figures: the salary written in the employment contract before taxes, the net amount paid to the employee, and the total employment cost for the employer. These figures differ because take-home pay depends on the non-taxable income amount, pension accumulation, working time, unpaid leave, sick leave and other individual factors.
For part-time work, the proportion matters. A half-time contract may show a monthly salary below the full monthly minimum wage, but the hourly pay should not fall below the official minimum hourly rate. In practice, it is useful to check both the monthly salary and the number of working hours in the schedule.
For employers, a minimum wage increase is not only a payroll line. Employment contracts, bonus rules, summarized working-time accounting, holiday pay and budget forecasts may all need review. For employees, the practical check is whether the salary change is documented and whether the first payment after the change is calculated under the new rules.