Minimum wage 2027: all amounts per hour, month and age
Written by Ilias Aarrass5 min read · Published on · Last reviewed on 
In short
The statutory minimum wage from 1 January 2027 is € 15.29 gross per hour for employees aged 21 and over, up from € 14.99 since 1 July 2026. At the same time the youth wage percentages rise: an 18-year-old now receives 62.5 per cent, or € 9.56 per hour. At 40 hours a week the minimum wage is about € 2,650 gross per month, excluding holiday allowance.
- Minimum wage from 1 January 2027: € 15.29 gross per hour for age 21 and over.
- The youth wage rises sharply: age 20 87.5%, 19 75%, 18 62.5%, 17 50%, 16 40%.
- There is only a minimum hourly wage; the monthly amount depends on the number of hours.
- On top of this, an employee is entitled to at least 8 per cent holiday allowance.
From 1 January 2027 the minimum wage is € 15.29 gross per hour for employees aged 21 and over. That is 30 cents more than the € 14.99 that has applied since 1 July 2026. For young people aged 16 to 20 the step is much bigger, because the youth wage percentages are going up as well. In this article you will find all the amounts, what they mean per month and what you need to check before January as a business owner with staff.
Minimum wage 2027 by age
The youth wage is a percentage of the adult minimum wage. From 1 January 2027 those percentages go up for people aged 16 to 20. As a result, the hourly wage of an 18-year-old rises by more than € 2. The separate, lower scale for bbl apprentices also disappears: they now fall under the same amounts.
| Age | Percentage until 2027 | Percentage 2027 | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over | 100% | 100% | € 15.29 |
| 20 | 80% | 87.5% | € 13.38 |
| 19 | 60% | 75% | € 11.47 |
| 18 | 50% | 62.5% | € 9.56 |
| 17 | 39.5% | 50% | € 7.65 |
| 16 | 34.5% | 40% | € 6.12 |
| 15 | 30% | 30% | € 4.59 |
What is the minimum wage per month in 2027?
Since 2024 there has been no statutory minimum monthly wage, only a minimum hourly wage. What someone receives per month at minimum therefore depends on the number of hours. The amounts below apply to age 21 and over and are calculated as hourly wage x hours per week x 52 weeks : 12 months. The 8 per cent holiday allowance comes on top.
| Hours per week | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | € 1,590 | € 19,082 |
| 32 hours | € 2,120 | € 25,443 |
| 36 hours | € 2,385 | € 28,623 |
| 38 hours | € 2,518 | € 30,213 |
| 40 hours | € 2,650 | € 31,803 |
What to arrange as an employer before 1 January
If you have staff on the payroll, the increase is not optional. If you pay too little, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate can impose a fine and your employee can claim the difference from you. So go through these points.
- Compare each employee's hourly wage with the table. Pay particular attention to young people: their new minimum is often above their current wage.
- Check whether a collective agreement applies. It can require higher wages, but never lower than the statutory minimum.
- Pass on the new amounts to your payroll in good time and update the employer costs in your budget.
- Watch out for birthdays. If an employee turns a year older in 2027, the wage moves up to the next age level.
- Set a reminder for 1 July 2027. The minimum wage is adjusted twice a year, so a new amount follows then.
Worked example: what does an employee on minimum wage cost?
The gross wage is not what your employee costs you. Holiday allowance and employer contributions come on top. Below is an employee aged 21 or over working 38 hours a week, using the 2026 contributions as a starting point, because the 2027 percentages only follow later.
Wage costs per month at 38 hours
- Gross wage (€ 15.29 x 38 x 52 : 12)
- € 2,518
- Holiday allowance 8%
- € 201
- Employer contributions, about 16.6% on € 2,719
- € 452
Result: Around € 3,171 per month in total, or more than € 38,000 per year. Any collective agreement schemes or absence insurance that apply to your business come on top.
Does the minimum wage also apply to freelancers?
The minimum wage does not apply to a genuinely self-employed person working at their own expense and risk. You set your own rate, and it must be much higher than € 15.29, because it also has to cover your tax, days off, costs and sickness. How to work that out is explained in setting your hourly rate.
If you hire someone yourself as a contractor, be careful. The Minimum Wage Act can also apply to people working under a contract for services if they do not do so as an independent profession or business. In addition, a rule has been passed on a low hourly rate that increases the risk of false self-employment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage from 1 January 2027?
€ 15.29 gross per hour for employees aged 21 and over. That is 30 cents more than the € 14.99 that has applied since 1 July 2026.
What is the minimum wage per month in 2027 at 40 hours?
At 40 hours a week about € 2,650 gross per month, excluding 8 per cent holiday allowance. At 36 hours that is about € 2,385 and at 38 hours about € 2,518.
What is the minimum wage for an 18-year-old in 2027?
€ 9.56 gross per hour. From 1 January 2027 the percentage goes from 50 to 62.5 per cent of the adult minimum wage.
When does the minimum wage change again?
The minimum wage is adjusted every year on 1 January and 1 July. The next new amount after January 2027 therefore follows on 1 July 2027.
Is holiday allowance included in the minimum wage?
No. Your employee is also entitled to at least 8 per cent holiday allowance. Read more in holiday allowance and leave for staff.
Sources
- Higher youth minimum wage from 2027Rijksoverheid · rijksoverheid.nl
- Minimum wage amountsRijksoverheid · rijksoverheid.nl
- Minimum hourly wage € 15.29 from January 2027Salaris Vanmorgen · salarisvanmorgen.nl
Sources checked on
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
