Will Applying for Jobs Without Knowing the Salary End in Europe?

Millions of Europeans still apply for jobs without knowing the salary. Across much of Europe, employees continue to have limited information regarding how much specific jobs pay and how their salaries compare to others performing similar work.

The EU's Pay Transparency Directive aims to change this situation by requiring employers to be more transparent about salaries and helping to reinforce the principle of equal pay for equal work.

While EU member states are required to implement the rules by June 7, 2026, most countries appear set to miss this deadline following the three-year transposition period.

According to the implementation tracker of international law firm Addleshaw Goddard, as of May 2026, 6 out of the 27 EU nations had not taken any steps toward implementing the directive. These countries are Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Portugal.

Lisa Feist, EU Labour Market Economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, stated, "Salary is the primary reason people look for a new job. However, across Europe, this aspect is omitted in most job postings. Employees are applying blindly, and our research has revealed that the consequences of this are deeper and more varied than we thought."

"Despite these negative outcomes, an opportunity also exists for employers who choose to be transparent. Those who act now can strengthen trust with candidates, improve the quality of applications, and future-proof their recruitment strategies."

Source: Euronews