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salaries

Economy

Holiday affordability in Europe: Where can people afford a break?

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Economy

Does your salary buy as much as five years ago? Europe compared

Real wages fell by almost 2% in the eurozone between early 2021 and early 2026, but the impact on workers’ purchasing power varied sharply across Europe. Euronews Business examines where wages gained and lost the most — and why.

Economy

Where do workers lose the biggest share of their salaries in Europe?

The share of earnings taken through taxes and other deductions varies widely across Europe. But how much do workers actually keep? Euronews takes a closer look.

EU.XL

Which EU countries fight pay gaps? Transparency rules split the bloc

Only four EU countries have implemented the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive, missing the June deadline meant to boost enforcement of equal pay rules across the bloc. Watch the video.

Business

Nearly eight hours apart: Who works the longest weeks in Europe?

People in some European countries work nearly eight hours more a week than those in others, according to Eurostat. Experts point to collective bargaining, part-time work and economic structure as key drivers of the gap.

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Economy

Inflation beating pay in Europe: Where are workers losing the most?

As inflation surges across Europe following the recent Middle East conflict, advertised pay growth in the eurozone is failing to keep up, causing workers' real earnings and purchasing power to fall.

Economy

France or Germany: Where do workers take home more pay?

Workers' take-home pay varies dramatically across Europe, with annual net earnings ranging from under €13,000 to more than €54,000. While adjusting for living costs narrows the gap between eastern and western Europe, significant differences remain.

Economy

What's left of a €100,000 salary after tax across Europe?

Eastern Europe generally offers higher take-home pay on a €100,000 gross salary, whereas Western and Northern Europe tend to show lower net figures at this income level. Tax calculations are complex, and Euronews Business provides approximate estimates.

Economy

Winners and losers: Real household income growth across Europe in 2025

Poland and Portugal saw the strongest real household income growth in Europe over the last two years. Among major economies, Spain led the way.

Economy

Where in Europe do workers earn the most — and the least?

Euronews Business takes a closer look at annual gross average wages across Europe, based on the OECD's 2026 report. The figures reveal significant disparities both in nominal and purchasing power terms.

Economy

Europe’s wage growth since 2020: Are Europeans better off?

Taking into account nominal growth and inflation, real hourly wages declined by 3% in the EU over the past five years. Wage growth was stronger in non-euro area countries and in those with lower wage levels.

Europe in Motion

Which European countries have the best salaries after taxes?

Social contributions can weigh as much as a third of the salary paid to an employee.

Business

European real wages near pre-COVID levels, but Iran crisis poses risks

The post-pandemic surge in inflation across Europe reduced the purchasing power of advertised wages in major economies. In some countries, wages have now caught up, but in others they still lag behind.

Economy

Europe's train drivers: How do their salaries stack up?

The average gross earnings of bus, tram and train drivers are below the overall earnings of full-time employees in Germany. Euronews Business takes a closer look at railway salaries.

Economy

Household incomes in Europe: Where did they rise since the pandemic?

Euronews Business looks at how real household incomes per person changed after COVID-19 and over the past decade.

Business

Minimum wages in 2026: Who earns the most in Europe?

Minimum wages vary widely across Europe. Euronews Business takes a closer look at them in both euro and purchasing power terms as of early 2026.

The Cube

Fact check: Is Ursula von der Leyen 'auto-increasing' her own salary?

Recent claims circulating on social media allege that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been “automatically increasing” her own salary. The Cube examined the claims to clarify how the salaries of EU officials are actually determined.