Young people aged 16 to 20 are set to receive a higher minimum wage from 1 January 2027. Minister Hans Vijlbrief (Social Affairs) is pushing ahead with the increase, fulfilling a plan originally set out by the previous government.
While the full statutory minimum wage—currently €14.71 per hour—only applies to those aged 21 and over, younger workers earn a percentage of that rate. Under the new plans, these percentages will see a significant boost across most age groups. For example, 16-year-olds will see their rate rise from 34.5% to 40% of the full wage, while 18-year-olds will jump from 50% to 62.5%. The highest increase is for 19-year-olds, whose pay will rise from 60% to 75% of the adult rate. The pay for 15-year-olds will remain unchanged at 30%.
Minister Vijlbrief acknowledged that while businesses rarely welcome rising costs, higher wages may help them attract much-needed staff. The changes will also apply to vocational (MBO) students on work-study tracks, who will now be entitled to the regular youth minimum wage. Additionally, a new rate has been set for 15-year-olds in the Caribbean Netherlands, who will earn 55% of the local minimum wage.
The House of Representatives originally pushed for these raises to start in 2026. However, that request was not granted by the previous minister, Eddy van Hijum. Instead, the current timeline ensures the higher rates will be phased in by 2027, following the schedule confirmed in April 2025.
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