The government announced on Monday a 1,6% increase in the minimum wage (SMIC) effective December 1, 2026. The minimum wage will thus rise from approximately €1,478 to €1,502 net per month for a full-time employee. This decision was announced by the Minister of Labor, Jean-Pierre Farandou , following the social conference organized at Matignon by the Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu. This is the first government increase to the minimum wage since 2012.
An increase of 24 euros net per month
The minimum wage, currently set at €1,477.93 net per month, will increase by approximately €24 starting in December. For an employee earning the minimum wage and working 35 hours per week, this increase will represent an additional €289 over a full year.
The announced increase is 1,6%, a level that allows the minimum wage to exceed €1,500 net per month for the first time. It will take effect one month before the usual annual adjustment date of January 1st.
The first government boost in 14 years
This decision marks the return of discretionary increases to the minimum wage, beyond the automatic mechanisms provided for by law. The last increase was in July 2012, a few weeks after François Hollande 's election as President of the Republic.
At the time, the government granted an additional 0,6% increase, on top of the automatic 1,4% adjustment. No government has since decided on an exceptional increase in the minimum wage.
An announcement after several weeks of social mobilization
The decision was made following the social conference convened by Sébastien Lecornu , four days after the national day of mobilization on Thursday, November 5. The latter had gathered 575,000 demonstrators according to the authorities, compared to approximately 1,6 million claimed by the CGT union.
The unions were demanding much larger increases. The CFDT was specifically asking for a 100 euro net monthly raise, while the CGT was demanding a 10% increase, or about 150 euros more.
The government ultimately agreed on a 1,6% increase, far below their demands. The unions are scheduled to meet Monday evening to determine the next steps in the social movement.
Who will benefit from this increase?
The pay increase will apply to all employees paid the minimum wage, whether they work full-time or part-time. For part-time employees, the increase will be proportional to their working hours.
Apprentices and employees whose pay is directly indexed to the minimum wage will also be affected. However, those earning more than the new legal minimum will not automatically receive a raise.
The new amount will come into effect on December 1st. Employers will have to apply the new salary scale from that date, without any action required from employees.
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