Huge gap in average annual salaries across Europe

According to the OECD’s 2026 Taxing Wages report, average annual gross salaries across Europe range from €18,590 in Turkey to €107,487 in Switzerland. The data covers 27 European countries, including 22 members of the European Union.

Switzerland is the only country where average gross salaries exceed €100,000 annually.

Iceland ranks second with €85,950, while Luxembourg leads among EU countries with €77,844, placing third overall.

Denmark (€71,961) and the Netherlands (€69,028) complete the top five. Norway is also close behind with €68,420.

Among Europe’s five largest economies, Germany ranks first with €66,700, followed closely by the United Kingdom at €65,340. The other three major economies trail significantly behind.

Average annual salaries stand at €45,964 in France, €36,594 in Italy, and €32,678 in Spain. Average salaries in Germany and the UK are more than double those in Spain.

Austria (€63,054), Belgium (€62,348), Ireland (€60,258), Finland (€55,462), and Sweden (€50,338) sit between these two groups, all above the €50,000 mark.

Nine EU countries remain below the €30,000 threshold.

Slovakia has the lowest annual wages in the EU at €19,590. Among the 22 EU countries listed, nine record annual salaries below €30,000.

Hungary (€21,257), Latvia (€21,321), the Czech Republic (€23,685), Portugal (€24,254), and Poland (€24,490) all remain below €25,000. Estonia (€25,603), Greece (€26,563), and Lithuania (€28,474) are above that threshold but still below €30,000.

Source: Euronews