Niki Kerameos: Greece Poised to Exceed €1,500 Average Salary by 2027

In an interview with Live News on March 27, 2025, Greek Minister of Labor and Social Insurance, Niki Kerameos, discussed the recent increase in minimum wage, which rose to €880 per month starting April 1, 2025. This marks the fifth increase since 2019 and represents a significant step toward equalizing pay between the public and private sectors. The net minimum wage now stands at €743, up from €709 previously. Kerameos emphasized that while challenges persist, reducing difficulties remains a primary goal for the government. She highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen disposable income through tax reductions, including lowering social security contributions by 5.5 percentage points over the past five years. Regarding why the increase wasn’t higher, Kerameos noted that discussions with social partners suggested a raise between 3-5%, but the government proposed over 6% to address cost-of-living issues. Looking ahead, she expressed confidence that Greece could surpass an average salary of €1,500 by the end of the current term in 2027. Additionally, unemployment is at its lowest since 2008, with Greece ranking 11th among EU countries with a statutory minimum wage. Kerameos also announced plans to visit the UK alongside 27 prominent Greek companies seeking skilled workers, aiming to attract Greeks living abroad back home.