Czech Minimum Wage and Average Salary 2026: Net Pay, Hourly, EUR
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The Czech minimum wage in 2026 is CZK 22,400 gross a month, or CZK 134.40 an hour for a 40-hour week. Full-time, that leaves CZK 19,011 net (about €779). From 1 January 2027 the minimum wage rises to CZK 24,900, or CZK 148.30 an hour. The average salary, according to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), was CZK 51,966 gross in Q2 2026; in Prague it was CZK 66,459. Below you'll find a gross-to-net table, euro conversions, pay by sector and region, and what foreigners need to know.
Czech minimum wage in 2026 and 2027
Since 2025 the minimum wage has been set by a formula in the Labour Code: the Finance Ministry's forecast of the average wage multiplied by a coefficient that the government fixes two years ahead. The figures are published by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV).
| Period | Monthly (gross) | Hourly (gross) | In euros* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | CZK 22,400 | CZK 134.40 | ≈ €917 / €5.50 an hour |
| from 1 January 2027 | CZK 24,900 | CZK 148.30 | ≈ €1,020 / €6.07 an hour |
* At the ČNB rate of 29 September 2026: €1 = CZK 24.415. Wages in Czechia are paid in crowns, so the euro amount moves with the exchange rate.
What you should know about the minimum wage:
- It applies to every private-sector employee: on a standard employment contract (HPP) and on the DPP and DPČ work agreements. Citizenship makes no difference — a foreigner cannot be paid less than a Czech.
- The hourly rate is for a 40-hour week. If your contract sets a shorter week (37.5 hours for shift or continuous work, 38.75 hours for two-shift work), the hourly minimum rises proportionally: about CZK 143.36 for 37.5 hours.
- Part-time work reduces the monthly minimum proportionally: 20 hours a week means CZK 11,200 a month.
- Overtime, night work and weekend or public-holiday supplements do not count towards the minimum wage. If your pay without them falls short, the employer must top it up.
- Since 2025 the private sector no longer has a "guaranteed wage" (zaručená mzda) by work group — the minimum wage is the only floor. Guaranteed minimum levels by group (zaručený plat) remain only for public-sector staff: CZK 22,400, 26,880, 31,360 and 35,840 for groups 1–4 in 2026.
Net salary: gross to net in 2026
From your gross pay the employer deducts 7.1% social insurance, 4.5% health insurance and a 15% income tax advance. The tax is reduced by the basic taxpayer credit (sleva na poplatníka) of CZK 2,570 a month, provided you sign the taxpayer declaration (prohlášení poplatníka) with your employer. The 23% rate applies only to the part of income above CZK 146,901 a month.
| Gross monthly | Social 7.1% | Health 4.5% | Tax after credit | Net | Net in euros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZK 22,400 (2026 minimum) | 1,591 | 1,008 | 790 | CZK 19,011 | ≈ €779 |
| CZK 24,900 (2027 minimum)** | 1,768 | 1,121 | 1,165 | CZK 20,846 | ≈ €854 |
| CZK 35,000 | 2,485 | 1,575 | 2,680 | CZK 28,260 | ≈ €1,157 |
| CZK 51,966 (national average) | 3,690 | 2,339 | 5,230 | CZK 40,707 | ≈ €1,667 |
| CZK 66,459 (Prague average) | 4,719 | 2,991 | 7,405 | CZK 51,344 | ≈ €2,103 |
** The 2027 row uses 2026 rates and the 2026 tax credit. If those change, the net amount will differ.
How we calculated it: the tax base is rounded up to the nearest CZK 100 and contributions up to the whole crown; the example is a full-time employee without children who has signed the taxpayer declaration. Child tax credits increase your net pay. If you don't sign the declaration, the employer won't apply the CZK 2,570 credit, but you can claim it back in your annual tax return — see our guide to tax refunds in Czechia.
On top of your gross pay the employer pays another 24.8% social insurance and 9% health insurance. So an employee on the minimum wage costs the employer roughly CZK 29,970 a month.
Minimum wage per hour: gross and net
In 2026 the minimum rate is CZK 134.40 gross an hour (about €5.50). Working a full month on the minimum wage, that comes to roughly CZK 114 net an hour. From 2027 the hourly minimum is CZK 148.30 gross.
On a DPP work agreement, tax and contributions follow their own rules, so the net amount from the same rate may differ from the table above. The rate itself still cannot be lower than CZK 134.40 an hour.
Average salary in Czechia in 2026
- Q2 2026: CZK 51,966 gross — 6.4% more than a year earlier, or 4.3% after inflation.
- Q1 2026: CZK 49,328 (revised ČSÚ figure).
- First half of 2026: CZK 50,650.
The average is not a "typical" salary. It includes bonuses and overtime, and high earners such as managers and IT specialists pull it up — most people earn less than the average. ČSÚ has temporarily stopped publishing the median (the middle salary) while its statistics switch to a new data source, the employers' single monthly report (JMHZ).
Don't confuse this with another figure: for tax and insurance limits in 2026 the "average wage" is set at CZK 48,967. It is fixed in advance and used to calculate, for example, the 23% tax threshold (CZK 146,901 a month) and the social insurance ceiling.
Salaries by region
| Region | Average gross, Q2 2026 | In euros |
|---|---|---|
| Prague | CZK 66,459 | ≈ €2,722 |
| Central Bohemian Region | CZK 55,218 | ≈ €2,262 |
| South Moravian Region (Brno) | CZK 50,588 | ≈ €2,072 |
| Hradec Králové Region | CZK 49,313 | ≈ €2,020 |
| Plzeň Region | CZK 48,360 | ≈ €1,981 |
| Moravian-Silesian Region (Ostrava) | CZK 46,543 | ≈ €1,906 |
| Karlovy Vary Region | CZK 44,476 | ≈ €1,822 |
ČSÚ counts wages by the place where people actually work. Prague pays the most, but it also has the most expensive housing.
Salaries by sector: a rough guide
There are no official 2026 statistics for individual jobs yet, so use sector averages as a guide. These are ČSÚ average gross wages for Q2 2026; "approx. net" is calculated as in the table above. A newcomer without Czech in an entry-level role usually earns noticeably less than the sector average.
| Sector | Average gross | Approx. net |
|---|---|---|
| IT and communications | CZK 90,948 | ≈ CZK 69,300 |
| Finance and insurance | CZK 90,808 | ≈ CZK 69,200 |
| Car manufacturing | CZK 72,954 | ≈ CZK 56,100 |
| Professional and technical services | CZK 64,746 | ≈ CZK 50,100 |
| Healthcare and social work | CZK 55,998 | ≈ CZK 43,700 |
| Manufacturing overall | CZK 52,061 | ≈ CZK 40,800 |
| Education | CZK 49,056 | ≈ CZK 38,600 |
| Retail, wholesale and car repair | CZK 47,344 | ≈ CZK 37,300 |
| Transport and warehousing | CZK 46,743 | ≈ CZK 36,900 |
| Construction | CZK 45,330 | ≈ CZK 35,800 |
| Administrative services (incl. staffing agencies, security) | CZK 40,387 | ≈ CZK 32,200 |
| Hotels and restaurants | CZK 30,394 | ≈ CZK 24,900 |
For comparison, real rates from ads in our Jobs in Prague and Czechia section: kitchen assistant in Prague CZK 160–200 an hour, production worker CZK 195 an hour gross. Every listing shows the salary in crowns and whether Czech is required — handy if you're looking for jobs in Prague for English speakers.
What changes in 2027
- Minimum wage of CZK 24,900 a month and CZK 148.30 an hour from 1 January 2027. The government approved it on 7 September 2026. That is about 44.6% of the forecast average wage.
- 2028: the coefficient is already set at 0.458, i.e. about 45.8% of the average wage. The exact amount will be announced in 2027, once the Finance Ministry publishes its average-wage forecast. MPSV aims for 47% by 2029.
- Tax on small side jobs: from 1 January 2027 the separate withholding tax (srážková daň) — used, for example, on a DPP without a signed declaration — is replaced by an ordinary tax advance. The rate stays at 15%.
Still choosing how to work? Compare the numbers in Trade License or Employment Contract in Czechia. Non-EU citizens usually need a Czech employee card (zaměstnanecká karta) to work. Ukrainians with temporary protection don't need a permit — see Jobs in Czechia for Ukrainians. Which jobs you can realistically get without Czech is covered in our guide to working without the language.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Czech minimum wage in 2026 after tax?
Full-time, with a signed taxpayer declaration, CZK 19,011 net out of CZK 22,400 gross — about €779 at the ČNB rate of 29 September 2026.
What is the minimum wage per hour in Czechia?
CZK 134.40 gross an hour in 2026 for a 40-hour week, and CZK 148.30 from 2027. If your contract sets a shorter week, the hourly minimum is proportionally higher.
What is the average salary in Czechia in 2026?
According to ČSÚ, CZK 51,966 gross in Q2 2026, which is about CZK 40,700 net. In Prague it is CZK 66,459 gross. Most employees earn less than the average.
What will the Czech minimum wage be in 2027?
CZK 24,900 a month and CZK 148.30 an hour from 1 January 2027. The government approved the amount on 7 September 2026.
Can a foreigner be paid less than the minimum wage?
No. The minimum wage applies to all private-sector employees regardless of citizenship — on an employment contract as well as on a DPP or DPČ. Breaches are checked by the labour inspectorate (SÚIP).
How much is the Czech minimum wage in euros?
CZK 22,400 is about €917 gross and €779 net at the ČNB rate of 29 September 2026. The 2027 minimum wage (CZK 24,900) is about €1,020 gross. The euro amount depends on the exchange rate.
Official sources
- Minimum wage 2026, working hours and top-ups (MPSV): mpsv.gov.cz
- Minimum wage 2027 — CZK 24,900 (MPSV, 7 Sept 2026): mpsv.gov.cz
- Minimum wage 2026 and public-sector guaranteed pay (MPSV): mpsv.gov.cz
- Average wages Q2 2026 by sector and region (ČSÚ, 3 Sept 2026): csu.gov.cz
- Social insurance rates 2026 (MPSV): mpsv.gov.cz
- Employee income tax, credit and 23% threshold (Financial Administration): financnisprava.gov.cz
- Withholding tax abolished from 2027 (Financial Administration): fs.gov.cz
- Euro exchange rate (ČNB): cnb.cz
Net pay figures are a guide for a typical situation; your payslip (výplatní páska) shows the exact amount. ČSÚ data are preliminary; revised figures will be published in December 2026.
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