Long-haul truck drivers across the EU receive highly variable total compensation depending on country, qualifications, and employer. For a factual baseline, one should primarily consider official national minimum wages. These provide a structural entry point into the gross salary level. However, they do not equate to the actual market wages, as companies typically pay variations depending on CE license, driver experience, international routes, weekend operations, or special transport tasks.

The second major component is tax-free allowances (daily allowances, meals, accommodation). These vary significantly across EU countries. Some countries rely on a lower gross wage structure combined with higher tax-free allowances (e.g., Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania), allowing drivers to net €2,500–€3,000 or more, even if the gross wage is officially only €600–€700. Other countries rely on higher gross wages with more limited allowances (e.g., France, Germany), which makes the gross wages appear notably higher. Net income for drivers on comparable routes may be similar despite differences in gross wages and allowance structure.

Important points regarding gross vs net pay

• This article focuses on gross minimum wages, not net take-home pay.

Net calculations are complex because they depend on multiple factors, including:

• National social security contributions
• Income tax rates and tax classes
• Tax-free allowances (meals, accommodation, travel expenses)
• Industry bonuses, night shifts, weekend pay
• National regulations on sick pay, vacation entitlements, and pension contributions

Each of these topics could be covered in a separate article and provides useful information for drivers, recruiters, and employers.

Key Factors for EU Truck Drivers Considering Long-Term Careers

• Official gross wage
• Tax-free allowances
• Social security and tax deductions

Understanding these components per country allows drivers to make informed career decisions and can lead to better long-term outcomes.

EU Minimum Wages 2025 – Official Monthly Figures

As of 1 January 2025, 22 of the 27 EU Member States have a statutory national minimum wage. Five EU countries do not have a universal statutory minimum wage set by law. Instead, wages are determined through collective bargaining agreements or sectoral standards.

Countries without a statutory minimum wage

• Denmark
• Italy
• Austria
• Finland
• Sweden

In these countries, wage floors are generally set through collective agreements negotiated by trade unions and employer associations rather than national law.

Minimum wages (monthly gross, January 2025)

• Bulgaria €551
• Hungary €707
• Latvia €740
• Romania €814
• Slovakia €816
• Czechia €826
• Estonia €886
• Malta €961
• Greece €968
• Croatia €970
• Cyprus €1,000
• Portugal €1,015
• Lithuania €1,038
• Poland €1,091
• Slovenia €1,278
• Spain €1,381
• France €1,802
• Belgium €2,070
• Germany €2,161
• Netherlands €2,193
• Ireland €2,282
• Luxembourg €2,638

Summary

• Gross minimum wages vary widely across the EU, influenced by national regulations and allowance structures.
• Some countries rely on lower gross wages with higher tax-free allowances; others rely on higher gross wages with stricter allowance rules.
• Countries without statutory minimum wages rely on collective agreements to set wage floors.
• Net income for drivers may be comparable even when gross wages differ significantly due to tax-free allowances and deductions.
• For career planning, it is important to consider gross wages, allowances, and social security contributions together.