Published on: May 22, 2026 | Paris | Article No: 348 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
France’s minimum wage (SMIC) is adjusted every year to protect workers’ purchasing power and support national economic growth. The increase is set by government decree, following consultations with social partners and based on recommendations from the SMIC expert committee.
From 1st June 2026, the hourly SMIC will raise by 2.41% from €12.02 to €12.31
Highly relevant for people who are paid on a hourly basis. The value of the SMIC is automatically updated on the 1st of January of each year, based on inflation and purchasing power. It is done by evaluating the inflation observed by 20% of households with the lowest incomes in France. Moreover, each increase of at least 2% in the consumer price index is automatically followed by an increase in the minimum wage in the same proportion.
SMIC: Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance. It is the legal minimum hourly wage, below which an employee cannot be paid in France.
If you have any questions, please feel free to use the comments section at the end of this article.
Latest minimum wages in France
Effective from 1st June 2026,
| SMIC Salary in Euros | Duration | Description |
| 12.31€ | per Hour | Gross (Brut) |
| 9.75€ | Net | |
| 1867.02€ | per Month (full-time 35 hours a week) | Gross (Brut) |
| 1477.93€ | Net |
These amounts are applicable in Metropolitan France and overseas French territoires such as Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Réunion, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
Specific situation in Mayotte
- In Mayotte, the SMIC follows a special adjustment path defined by the law of 11th August 2025.
- As a result, the gross hourly SMIC in Mayotte will increase to €9.56 (up from €9.33).
- The gross monthly SMIC for full-time work will rise to €1,449.93 (up from €1415.05).
Minimum Income requirements for Resident Permits in France
For people requiring visitor (cannot work) and work related resident permits in France, the minimum income requirements are based on SMIC too. The salaries are always mentioned in Gross values, known as Brut in French.
Current values listed below are based on SMIC from 1st January 2026. Please keep this in mind while negotiating your salaries.
| Visa or Resident Permit | Calculation* | Minimum Income Required |
| Visiteur | 1 x SMIC Net | 1,426.30 € per month of financial resources |
| APS Master or CdS RECE | 1.5 x SMIC Brut | 2,702.70 € per month to be eligible to work full-time |
| Salarié (CDI) or Travailleur temporaire (CDD) | 1.5 x SMIC Brut | 2,702.70 € per month |
| Talent “salarié qualifié” | 2 x Reference Salary | 39,582 € per year |
| Talent CBE (EU Blue card) | 2.5 x Reference Salary | 59,373 € per year |
More details on Work & Resident Permits after graduating in France?
Note*: Calculated based on SMIC per month.
How is the French Minimum Wage (SMIC) adjusted?
The French minimum wage, known as the SMIC, is updated through a combination of automatic rules and discretionary government decisions.
1. Annual increase (January 1st): Each year, the SMIC is revised on January 1st. The adjustment is based on,
- Inflation experienced by the lowest 20% of households, and
- Half of the increase in purchasing power of the average hourly wage for workers and employees.
2. Automatic increase during the year: If consumer prices rise by at least 2% compared to the level used at the last SMIC adjustment, the minimum wage is automatically increased by the same percentage.
3. Government “boost” (coup de pouce): At any time, the government can decide to grant an additional increase beyond the automatic adjustments.
Source: travail-emploi.gouv.fr
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