Czech public sector salaries to rise: what changes from January

Next year, more money will go to salaries in the Czech public sector: according to Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO), the pay budget should grow by CZK 33.9 billion. However, most public sector employees still don’t know how much their incomes will actually increase.

“I think we treat the public sector as well as possible,” the minister said after the September approval of next year’s budget with a deficit of CZK 386 billion.

New pay system from January

The pay system itself is also set to change noticeably from January. The lowest pay grade should now match the minimum wage, the gap between grades will be at least four percent, and for most employees the number of steps will be cut from 12 to eight.

Teachers will keep their existing seven steps and seniority-based progression. The lowest levels of guaranteed pay are to be abolished: their protective function will be taken over by the new pay grades and guaranteed differences between classes.

Minimum wage: CZK 24,900

The minimum wage will rise to CZK 24,900 next year. According to the Ministry of Labour, its proposal will better reflect long years of service. The reform is meant to restore the pay grade as a clear basis for salaries, but its specific effect on earnings will depend on the final tables and funding.

Read also: Минимальная и средняя зарплата в Чехии 2026

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz