Albania continues to remain the country with the lowest minimum wage in Europe, even after the entry into force of the minimum wage of Lek 50,000 gross. According to the latest Eurostat data, the minimum wage in Albania is Euro 517 per month, the lowest level among European countries that have a national minimum wage.

Eurostat statistics show that, on January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in European Union countries ranged from Euro 620 in Bulgaria to Euro 2,704 in Luxembourg. Although Bulgaria remains the country with the lowest minimum wage in the EU, its level is now Euro 103 higher than Albania's.

In the region, Albania ranks last again. Turkey has a minimum wage of Euro 654, North Macedonia Euro 586, Serbia Euro 744, while Montenegro Euro 670. This means that all Western Balkan countries reported by Eurostat now have higher minimum wages than Albania.

The increase in the minimum wage to Lek 50,000, from January 1, 2026, brought its value to Euro 517, thanks also to the favorable exchange rate of the lek with the euro. But this has not changed Albania's position in the European ranking, as countries in the region have increased their minimum wages at a faster pace in recent years.

According to Eurostat, the comparison of minimum wages in euros does not fully reflect the standard of living, as it is also affected by changes in the cost of living and purchasing power. However, even in this indicator, Albania remains among the countries with the lowest income level on the continent.

Although the minimum wage in the country has increased over the years, the depreciation of the euro against the lek has meant that its value in the European currency has not improved significantly. Furthermore, experts emphasize that the nominal comparison does not fully reflect the standard of living, as the purchasing power of the minimum wage in Albania remains among the lowest on the continent.