The French Government has announced an automatic increase in the national minimum wage, known as the SMIC, as part of its continued efforts to protect workers and support the purchasing power of low-income households.
This recently announced measure comes amid a challenging international economic environment marked by trade tensions and inflationary pressure. Under French law, the minimum wage may be increased during the year when inflation reaches a certain threshold. In this case, the mechanism will be triggered on May 13, 2026, following a rise of at least 2% in the consumer price index since the previous SMIC adjustment. As a result, the new SMIC rates will apply from June 1, 2026.
New SMIC Rates from June 1, 2026
From June 1, the gross hourly minimum wage will increase from €12.02 to €12.31. This will raise the gross monthly minimum salary from €1,823.03 to €1,867.02, representing a monthly gross increase of €43.99.
This also means that the net monthly minimum wage will also rise, increasing from €1,443.11 to €1,477.93, which equals a net monthly increase of €34.82.
| Minimum Wage Category | Current Amount | New Amount from June 1, 2026 | Increase |
| Gross hourly SMIC | €12.02 | €12.31 | 2.41% |
| Gross monthly SMIC | €1,823.03 | €1,867.02 | €43.99 |
| Neta monthly SMIC | €1,443.11 | €1,477.93 | €34.82 |
Minimum Wage Increase in Mayotte
The gross hourly minimum wage applicable in Mayotte will also increase. It will be set at €9.56, raising the gross monthly salary from €1,415.05 to €1,449.93. This indeed represents a gross monthly increase of €34.88 for workers in Mayotte.
Additional Measures to Support Low-Income Workers
The minimum wage increase is part of a broader package of measures designed to improve the purchasing power of low-income workers in France. Several measures will come into effect over the coming weeks:
| Date | Measure | Beneficiaries |
| May 27, 2026 | Assistance for long-distance commuters | Around 3 million low-income workers |
| June 1, 2026 | Automatic SMIC increase of 2.41% | Minimum wage workers |
| July 1, 2026 | Increase in the activity bonus by an average of €50 per month | Around 3 million low-income workers |
Jean-Pierre Farandou, Minister of Labour and Solidarity, stated that protecting and supporting workers remains a key government priority. He emphasized that the minimum wage increase is especially important in a difficult economic climate and highlighted additional measures such as the activity bonus increase and commuter support for low-income workers.
Impact on Immigration Salary Thresholds
The increase in the SMIC will also affect certain immigration-related salary thresholds in France. Since some residence and work permit categories are linked to minimum wage levels, the new SMIC rates will automatically raise the required salary thresholds for several immigration procedures.
Updated Immigration Salary Requirements
| Immigration Status or Procedure | Updated Salary Requirement |
| Intra-Corporate Transferee Employee and Seconded Trainee | Salary must be at least equal to the SMIC |
| Employee or Temporary Worker status | Salary must be at least equal to the SMIC |
| Job Search/Business Creatioan status | Annual gross salary threshold increases to €33,606.36 |
| Job Search/Business Creation status | Annual gross salary must exceed €33,606.36 |
| Talent – Project Holder status | Minimum annual gross remuneration increases to €22,404.24 |
| Talent – Internationally Renowned status | Minimum annual gross remuneration increases to €22,404.24 |
| Talent – Legal Representative status | Annual gross salary threshold increases to €67,212.72 |
| Talent – Artistic and Cultural Profession status | Minimum gross monthly remuneration increases to €1,306.91 |
These changes mean that employers, foreign workers, students, and applicants under talent-based residence categories should carefully review the updated salary requirements before submitting or renewing applications.
What This Means for Workers and Employers
For workers earning the minimum wage, the June 2026 increase will provide a modest but direct boost to monthly income. The measure is intended to help offset inflation and support households most affected by rising costs.
For employers, the increase means payroll adjustments will be required from June 1, 2026. Companies hiring foreign workers or sponsoring immigration applications should also ensure that salaries meet the updated legal thresholds.