Key Facts: Greece vs Finland Wages
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD)
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,593.63 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,439.39 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)
Greece
Finland
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Greece mandates a wage floor of $6/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,594/mo in Greece versus $4,439/mo in Finland, a 2.8:1 ratio.
Greece has lower GDP per capita ($44,327 vs $65,378). Greece's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Finland's 9.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Greece | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.31 $6.04 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | €920 $1,047.24 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | €12,880 $14,661.35 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,400 /mo $1,593.63 | €3,900 /mo $4,439.39 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,100 /mo $1,252.13 | €2,700 /mo $3,073.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | €12,800 /yr $14,570.29 | €35,000 /yr $39,840.64 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Greece is higher.
Work Week
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Greece
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Greece or Finland?
In Greece, the minimum wage is €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD). In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Greece compared to Finland?
The average gross salary in Greece is €1,400/mo ($1,593.63 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,439.39 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Greece earn approximately 179% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Greece and Finland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Greece.
How do work hours compare between Greece and Finland?
Both Greece and Finland mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Greece and Finland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 1.5x that of Greece at $44,327. From Greece's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.