Damon Mcknight
Unlike other EU member states, Austria does not have a statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set through collective agreements between employer organisations and sectoral unions. These collective agreements cover around 95-98% of employees throughout Austria, with minimum wages of at least EUR 1,700 gross 14 times a year, resulting in an average monthly wage of EUR 1,983 gross. In 2025, Austria introduced updates to minimum salary levels for various work permits, with the Red-White-Red Card salary threshold increasing to €3,225 per month, and the EU Blue Card holder minimum increasing to €3,678.57 per month.
Minimum Wage in Austria
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Statutory minimum wage | No |
| Minimum wage set by collective agreements | Yes |
| Percentage of employees covered by collective agreements | 95-98% |
| Minimum wage under collective agreements | EUR 1,700 gross 14 times a year |
| Average monthly wage under collective agreements | EUR 1,983 gross |
| Minimum salary for EU Blue Card holders | EUR 3,678.57 per month |
| Minimum salary for super key employees | EUR 7,740 per month |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's minimum wage in 2025
Unlike other EU member states, Austria does not have a statutory minimum wage that applies to all employees. Instead, the country relies on collective agreements to set minimum wages for specific occupational groups or sectors. These collective agreements are negotiated without state involvement and cover approximately 95% of Austrian employees. The collective agreement minimum wage should not be undercut by any employment contract or works agreement.
The collective agreements take into account factors such as training, professional experience, industry, and company structure to determine the minimum wage for a particular occupation or function group. For example, the minimum wage for blue-collar workers may differ from that of white-collar workers. As of 2025, the collective agreement minimum wage in Austria is typically €1,700 gross 14 times a year, resulting in an average monthly wage of €1,983 gross. This amounts to approximately €10.63 per hour for a typical 40-hour workweek.
It is important to note that employees in Austria are entitled to additional payments, such as the 13th and 14th salaries, which are distributed evenly throughout the year, typically in June and November. Furthermore, employers in Austria are required to provide mandatory employee benefits, including health insurance, pension contributions, and statutory leave.
While there is no national minimum wage, certain work permits and visas have minimum salary requirements. For instance, as of January 1, 2025, the minimum salary thresholds for the Employee Card and Work Permit/Employee Card increased to CZK 20,800 per month. Additionally, the Red-White-Red Card (key employee) minimum salary increased to €3,225 gross per month, the EU Blue Card to €3,678.57 gross per month, and the Super Key Employee minimum salary to €7,740 gross per month.
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Foreign workers' minimum wage
Austria does not have a national minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set according to sector through collective bargaining agreements, which cover almost all employees across all industries. These agreements set minimum monthly salaries, and the lowest wage across sectors is around €1,700 gross per month.
While Austria has no national minimum wage, workers’ rights to a livable salary are still protected. Over the last few years, a series of collective bargaining agreements have essentially enforced a base rate for salaries, which functions similarly to a minimum wage.
In Austria, the minimum wage or salary for employees in the private sector is regulated in the collective agreements and partly by minimum wage rates and remuneration for apprentices. In most industries, remuneration for apprentices is regulated via collective agreements. If there is no collective agreement, the Federal Conciliation Office can set the remuneration for apprentices.
Employees whose employer is based abroad are entitled to the remuneration under the collective agreement that is due to comparable employees of comparable employers at the place of work. Employees posted or leased/assigned to Austria are also entitled to minimum wages under collective agreements.
If you are a foreign national from outside the EU, you will need a resident permit or a Red-White-Red Card. Although you need to have a company sponsor you for this card, you must also meet minimum monthly salary thresholds to get one. For example, a single expat must have a salary of at least €1,273.99 to get the card. Married couples, on the other hand, must earn at least €2,009.85.
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Minimum wage by sector
Unlike many other EU countries, Austria does not have a national statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set according to sector through collective bargaining agreements. These cover almost all employees across all industries.
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) have agreed that the minimum wage in collective agreements should be €1,500 gross per month. However, most industries pay more than this based on their own collective agreements. The lowest wage across sectors is around €1,700 gross per month.
Minimum wage rates are set by the Federal Conciliation Office and contain regulations on minimum payments and minimum amounts for the reimbursement of expenses in sectors where no collective agreement can be concluded. For example, the minimum wage in Austria in some fields is:
- Restaurant servers/delivery/cleaning/security guards: €2,025 - €2,070
- Logistics/packaging/maintenance: €2,055 - €2,143
- Drivers (vehicles weight max 3.5 t, cranes, forklift)/metal sorters: €2,130 - €2,245
In addition, remuneration for apprentices in certain sectors is laid down by the Federal Conciliation Office. This includes apprenticeships in fitness coaching, sports administration, event technicians, and commercial and trade apprenticeships at printing companies and vehicle rental companies.
Location also has a significant impact on salary levels in Austria. Major urban centres such as Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz tend to offer higher wages compared to rural or less economically developed regions. The cost of living is higher in bigger cities, but higher salaries in these areas mean that workers can still achieve a comfortable standard of living.
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Wage bargaining
Unlike other EU member states, there is no statutory minimum wage in Austria. Instead, the country relies on collective agreements to determine minimum wages for different occupational groups or sectors. These agreements are negotiated between trade unions and employers' associations and cover around 95% of employees in Austria. The collective agreement minimum wage is legally binding and cannot be undercut by employment contracts or works agreements.
The Austrian system of wage bargaining is complex and involves various factors. Firstly, the collective agreements take into account factors such as training, professional experience, industry, and company structure to determine the minimum wage for each occupation or function group. These agreements are geographically, professionally, and personally scoped, meaning they apply to specific areas, job types, and individuals. Secondly, the concept of "remuneration" in Austrian labour law includes all cash and non-cash benefits granted by employers to employees, and special payments are regulated in the collective agreement or employment contract. Thirdly, the system allows for flexible working hours and overtime arrangements, with "all-in agreements" stipulating a flat-rate salary for all work, including overtime. Finally, the Austrian Labor Inspectorate plays a crucial role in monitoring working conditions, enforcing working hours and rest periods, and preventing wage dumping and illegal employment practices.
The wage bargaining process in Austria has been influenced by economic factors and inflation. In 2023, collective bargaining became more conflictual due to the tense economic situation and price increases. Warning strikes took place in several sectors, including the large retail sector and the metal industry. Despite the conflicts, face-saving agreements were reached, and the average minimum wage increase for 2023 was 7.6% compared to 2022.
In addition to wage increases, shorter working hours were also negotiated in the health, nursing care, and logistics sectors. There were ongoing debates about implementing a shorter workweek or a four-day workweek, with organised labour in favour and organised business against it due to labour shortages. Protests against high inflation and the rising cost of living also took place, demanding sustainable wage increases and anti-inflation measures from the federal government.
Overall, the Austrian system of wage bargaining is a complex and dynamic process that involves collective agreements, trade unions, employers' associations, and government intervention. The system aims to balance the needs of employees for fair wages and working conditions with the economic realities faced by employers and the country as a whole.
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Minimum wage compliance
Unlike other EU member states, Austria does not have a statutory minimum wage. Instead, it has collective agreements that set minimum wages for specific occupational groups or sectors. These agreements are negotiated between employer organisations and sectoral unions and are binding on all employees and employers within the signatory organisation.
Around 95-98% of employees throughout Austria are covered by these collective agreements, which provide for a minimum wage of at least EUR 1,700 gross 14 times a year, resulting in an average monthly wage of EUR 1,983 gross. This figure varies by industry and is periodically reviewed.
To comply with Austrian labour laws, employers must specify which collective agreement applies to each employment relationship in the employment note or contract. This agreement must also be displayed at the place of work. The applicable collective agreement can be accessed for free through databases like the Collective Agreement Information Platform of the ÖGB.
For employees whose employer is based abroad, the collective agreement that applies is the one due to comparable employees of comparable employers at the place of work. Employees posted or leased/assigned to Austria are also entitled to minimum wages under collective agreements.
In January 2025, Austria updated its minimum salary levels for various work permits. For the Red-White-Red Card, the salary threshold increased to €3,225 per month, while EU Blue Card holders must now earn a minimum of €3,678.57 per month.
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Frequently asked questions
Unlike other EU member states, Austria does not have a statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set through collective agreements between employer organisations and sectoral unions. These agreements are binding on all employers and employees within the respective organisations and unions.
The minimum wages vary by sector and are determined by factors such as training, professional experience, and industry. Most collective agreements provide for minimum wages of at least EUR 1,700 gross 14 times a year, resulting in an average monthly wage of EUR 1,983 gross.
No, there are some gaps in coverage, mostly in small sectors. Examples include the advertising and communication sector (except for Vienna), the beauty sector, and the waste management sector. However, overall, around 95%-98% of employees throughout Austria are covered by these agreements.
