The Government has approved and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) under Royal Decree 126/2026, the increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Salary up to 1,221 euros per month. With the new minimum wage approved, it is advisable to remember the recommendations of labor lawyer Andrés Millán “LawTips” informing those workers who receive it that “if you earn less than €1,424 in 12 full-time payments, your salary will have to be raised in January.”
The Official State Gazette confirms the figures advanced by the legal expert and sets the minimum wage for any activities at 1,221 euros per month if it is received in 14 payments. This means that those workers who have prorated payments will see a gross monthly amount of 1,424.50 euros on their payroll. The standard clearly specifies that these new amounts represent an increase of 3.1% compared to those in force the previous year.
Clarify that this amount refers to the legal working day in each activity and that, if a shorter day is worked, it would be received pro rata. Therefore, any full-time worker who check your payroll and see a figure lower than the stipulated one, you must claim the corresponding arrears from your company.
Retroactive effects and payment of arrears
One of the points that generates the most doubts among employees is when this increase becomes effective. As Millán explained in his analysis, “when it is approved it will be with retroactive effects”, and the legal text agrees with him by establishing that the royal decree will take effect during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2026. This implies the payment of the minimum wage with effect from the first day of the year.
The mechanics of receiving this extra money are simple, although sometimes it takes a while. The lawyer clarifies that “whatever you charge now in January, in February, if it takes too long,” later “your company has to pay you the difference with what is finally established.” Companies must pay a compensatory payment or include the concept of arrears in the next payroll to cover the difference generated since January 1.
Minimum and average wages increasingly closer with an increase in the cost of living
Millán explains that “at this rate the minimum wage will soon be practically the same as the average wage” because, according to his vision, the average salary “does not grow at all”. This compression of salaries has a direct impact on workers’ savings capacity and future plans. The lawyer relates that “with this type of salary you will hardly be able to do things like buy an apartment and at the same time have a life.”
Amounts for domestic and temporary employees
The published Royal Decree also includes remunerations for specific groups that are not governed by the general monthly rule. Domestic employees who work hourly must receive a minimum of 9.55 euros per hour actually worked. For their part, casual and temporary workers whose services to the same company do not exceed one hundred and twenty days will receive a minimum of 57.82 euros per legal day in the activity.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the Workers’ Statute protects these amounts by establishing that the interprofessional minimum wage cannot be seized in its amount, both annually and monthly.