Greece recorded the second-lowest average annual salary in the EU in 2025, according to new Eurostat data. The average full-time adjusted salary in Greece was €18,800, less than half the EU average of €41,500. Only Bulgaria reported a lower figure, at €16,200, while Hungary ranked just above Greece at €20,100. The findings place Greece near the bottom of EU salary rankings, despite rising earnings across the bloc.
The gap between Greece and the EU average reached €22,700 annually. This means the average Greek salary was about 45% of the European average.
Greek salaries remain far below European levels
Greece’s position remained unchanged from 2024, when the country also ranked second-lowest in the EU for average annual salaries. Average annual earnings in Greece increased from €18,000 in 2024 to €18,800 in 2025, while the EU average rose from €39,800 to €41,500.
Greece has the second-lowest average annual salary in the EU, according to new Eurostat data.
At €18,800, Greek earnings are less than half the EU average of €41,500. Only Bulgaria ranks lower, while Luxembourg leads at €85,600. pic.twitter.com/xsV1UBjKwc
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 6, 2026
The figures also show considerable differences between Greece and other southern European countries. Average annual salaries stood at approximately €34,000 in Italy, €35,000 in Spain and €26,000 in Portugal. The findings come as Greece continues to face concerns over wages and household expenses.
The government raised the minimum monthly wage to €920 in April 2026, however, housing costs remain a major burden for Greek households, particularly in Athens, where rents account for a substantial share of earnings.
Luxembourg leads EU salary rankings
Luxembourg recorded the highest average annual salary at €85,600, more than four times the figure reported for Greece. Denmark followed with €73,500, while Ireland ranked third at €64,400. Belgium, Austria and Germany also reported average annual earnings well above €50,000. Earlier Eurostat research also found that more than one in five workers in Greece were classified as low-wage earners, highlighting wider concerns about earnings.
Eurostat calculated the latest figures using national accounts and Labour Force Survey data. The calculation converts part-time salaries into full-time equivalents to make comparisons between countries more consistent. The Netherlands was excluded because of differences in the calculation method.
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