French minimum wage to increase by 2.4% on June 1, 2026
It follows rise on January 1 and keeps France’s rate among highest in EU
Under French law, the SMIC is automatically increased during the year when inflation rises by more than 2% since the previous adjustment
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France’s minimum wage will increase by around 2.4% on June 1, French Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou announced today (May 14).
The change in the SMIC (salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance) represents an increase of around €44 gross – €34 net – per month for an employee on a 35-hour contract.
Mr Farandou said it was “good news for the purchasing power of French people with modest incomes.”
The increase comes after state statistics body Insee announced a year-on-year consumer price (prix à la consommation) increase of 2.2% between April 2025 - April 2026.
Under French law, the SMIC is automatically increased during the year when inflation rises by more than 2% since the previous adjustment.
The government is “currently confirming the exact increase,” said Mr Farandou, but it is expected to be slightly above the inflation levels identified by Insee.
Second increase in 2026
France’s minimum wage increased by 1.18% on January 1, based on annual inflation.
The minimum wage was last increased in November 2024 through an advance rise designed to account for expected inflation in 2025, meaning no additional increase was needed in January 2025.
Alongside an annual evaluation on January 1, increases to the SMIC can be made based on inflation across the last 12 months
If inflation increases by more than 2% across a 12-month period, this triggers an automatic increase.
Governments can also choose to implement an increase at any point if they wish, as a bid to increase household purchasing power.
A discretionary increase unrelated to inflation – known as a coup de pouce rise – was last introduced in 2012 under Socialist president François Hollande.
Previously, economists have warned that further increases to France’s high minimum wage could have a negative impact.
If the SMIC rises more quickly than other wages – which are generally less likely to increase during periods of low inflation or economic difficulty – it narrows the gap between minimum and median earnings and can reduce productivity across France.
Last year, economists said the government should not increase the minimum wage by any higher than inflation forces it throughout 2026.
The map below compares France’s minimum wage to other European countries.
The figures are based on data from January 1, 2026, although not all countries increased their minimum wage rates at that time. In France’s case, the proposed June 1 increase is not yet included as it has not been formally finalised.
Amounts are given in euros, or converted into euros where another currency is used, and may vary slightly depending on exchange rates.
The data covers a full month of employment (for example a 35-hour/week contract in France, 38 hours/week in Belgium and the UK etc).
For reference, the US has a federal minimum wage of $7.25, equaling a monthly gross of around €1,157 (depending on exchange rates).
However, many jobs are exempt and can offer lower wages, and rules can vary between states.
