As per a government decree, the minimum wage in 2026 will amount to 43.4% of the predicted average wage for 2026.
The 2024 amendment to the Labour Code introduced rules for calculating the minimum wage in its Section 111(9). In conjunction with Government Regulation No. 285/2024, this means that the minimum wage will be 43.4% of the predicted average wage for 2026.
Based on the above calculation, the minimum monthly wage for 2026 will increase from CZK 20,800 to CZK 22,400. The minimum wage is always determined for a full month’s work, i.e. based on a forty-hour working week. The hourly wage will increase from CZK 124.40 to CZK 134.40.
The minimum wage affects the determination of health insurance contributions for persons without taxable income, as well as minimum advance payments for self-employed persons and persons working part-time. Its amount also affects the limits for claiming tax bonuses.
The minimum wage will also be reflected in the guaranteed wage for the public sector. The guaranteed wage for the public sector is divided into four categories of jobs according to difficulty. The first job category will have the lowest guaranteed salary of CZK 22,400 per month, the second category CZK 26,880 per month, the third category CZK 31,360 per month, and the fourth category CZK 35,840 per month (the above amounts are derived from the minimum wage and will apply to the year 2026).
From January 2025, employers in the private sector are no longer required to observe the eight-level table of guaranteed salaries, i.e., only the minimum wage will apply in the private sector.
Source:
Government Decree No. 285/2024 Coll. on the coefficient for calculating the minimum wage in 2025 and 2026.