The minimum wage in Serbia will increase to 371 dinars per hour, and both the minimum and maximum contribution bases for social security will see significant adjustments starting January 1, 2026.
The average salary in Serbia, calculated for the period October 2024 to September 2025, is 146,564 dinars. This figure will serve as the reference for determining the new minimum and maximum bases for social security contributions, which will apply from January 2026.
Based on this average salary:
- The minimum base will be set at 51,297 dinars, equivalent to 35% of the average salary, establishing the lower limit below which contributions cannot be calculated.
- The maximum base, representing the upper limit for contributions for high-income employees, will be 732,820 dinars, or five times the average salary.
These limits will be in effect for the entire year and will directly define employers’ financial obligations to the state, as well as employees’ rights regarding contributions.
Until the end of 2025, the current bases remain in effect: the minimum base is 45,950 dinars, and the maximum reaches 656,425 dinars. The new rules reflect both the growth in salaries and the increasing responsibilities within the social security system.
These amounts are pre-tax and pre-contribution, meaning net employee earnings may differ. The gross salary is calculated by adding taxes and contributions according to existing fiscal regulations.
Under the proposed increase in the tax-free portion of salary, which is expected to rise from 28,423 dinars to 34,221 dinars in 2026, the gross minimum wage has already been calculated. For a 160-hour work month, the gross minimum will be 79,797.29 dinars, while for a 168-hour month, it will amount to 84,031.24 dinars.
It is important to note that the minimum wage is based solely on the minimum hourly rate and the number of hours worked. Additional payments such as meal allowances, vacation bonuses, seniority pay, overtime, night work, or work on public holidays are not included in the minimum wage. Although these elements are often discussed in public debates and individual expectations, regulations clearly separate them.
Employees are entitled to compensation for basic salary calculated at the minimum hourly rate, while other allowances, such as transport reimbursements, travel costs, accommodation, meals, and vacation bonuses, are paid according to specific rules.
