Minimum wage in Montenegro 2026: 600 and 800 euros net, an average salary of 1,037 euros and a proposal of 1,000 to 1,400 euros for 2027

The minimum wage in Montenegro in 2026 is at least 600 euros net for jobs up to qualification level V and 800 euros net for jobs at level VI and above, for full-time work and standard output. The average net salary in July 2026 was 1,037 euros, and the gross average was 1,238 euros. On 17 September 2026 the government approved a bill amending the Labour Law under which the net minimum wage would be 1,000, 1,250 or 1,400 euros from 1 January 2027, but it is not law yet: by 25 September 2026 the amendments had not been published in the Official Gazette.

The minimum wage is set by Article 101 of the Labour Law, and the amounts of 600 and 800 euros were introduced by the law published in Official Gazette 86/2024, applying from 1 October 2024. This guide explains what applies today, what the April 2026 amendments changed, what the average salary is by sector and what exactly the proposal for 2027 contains.

What is the minimum wage in 2026?

• The minimum wage applies to full-time work and standard output, and the law sets it as a monthly net amount, not as an hourly rate.
• If you have a part-time employment contract, you receive the minimum wage in proportion to the time you work; this rule was introduced by the Labour Law amendments published in Official Gazette 51/2026.
• Since those amendments, the government sets the minimum wage on the proposal of the Social Council for a two-year period, based on the general level of wages, purchasing power, the cost of living and economic factors.
• To assess whether the minimum wage is adequate, the law uses an indicative reference value of 50% of the previous year's average gross wage; for 2025 that is 603 euros gross.
• The law ties the amount to the job: what counts is the qualification level set for the post you hold, not just your diploma.

What does the euro model propose for 2027?

• The government approved the bill at a telephone session on 17 September 2026, in a package of six bills.
• The bill amending the Labour Law raises the net minimum wage to 1,000 euros for levels I and II, 1,250 euros for levels III and IV and 1,400 euros for level V and above, applying from 1 January 2027.
• A new Article 101a bars private-sector employers from lowering the required qualification level, or changing the job title, job description or contract, for staff employed with them on 31 August 2026 in a way that would lower their minimum wage, if they keep doing the same or substantially the same work.
• That protection would apply from 1 January to 31 December 2027, and anything done contrary to it would have no legal effect on setting the minimum wage.
• The same package also changes the tax on salaries, to 0% up to 700 euros and 9% above, as well as the contribution rates.
• The bills become law only once Parliament adopts them and they are published in the Official Gazette.

All six bills and what they mean for employers are analysed in detail by RoNa Legal in its article on the euro model.

What is the average salary in Montenegro?

• The average net salary in July 2026 was 2.3% higher than in July 2025.
• Compared with June 2026 the net salary rose by 0.1%, and since prices rose by 0.8%, the real salary fell by 0.7%.

What are salaries by sector?

How much of a salary goes on housing and food is shown in our article on the cost of living. Which days are public holidays is explained in our article on public holidays, and maternity leave pay and the newborn payment in our article on child benefit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Montenegro in 2026? At least 600 euros net for jobs up to qualification level V and 800 euros net for level VI and above, for full-time work.

Is the minimum wage 1,000 euros from 2027? Not yet. It is a government proposal of 17 September 2026 that Parliament still has to adopt; under the proposal the minimum would be 1,000, 1,250 or 1,400 euros net.

What is the average salary in Montenegro? In July 2026 the average net salary was 1,037 euros and the gross average 1,238 euros. The 2025 average was 1,012 euros net.

Is the minimum wage paid for part-time work too? It is paid in proportion to the time you work, so on half-time you receive half of the minimum wage.

Which sector pays the most? Financial and insurance activities, with an average net salary of 1,683 euros in July 2026. The lowest is in administrative and support services, at 873 euros.

Who sets the minimum wage? The government, on the proposal of the Social Council, for a two-year period; the amount cannot be lower than the one set by the Labour Law.

Sources

The amounts of 600 and 800 euros are set by Article 101 of the Labour Law as worded by the 86/2024 amendments, and the two-year setting, the reference value and part-time work by the 51/2026 amendments. The proposal for 2027 is described in the government statement on the session of 17 September 2026, and its text is in the bill amending the Labour Law. Average salaries are published by MONSTAT in its releases for July 2026 and December 2025. The information was checked on 25 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this article is not legal advice.