The Law of 12 July 2019 modifying Article L 222-9 of the Labour Code was published in Mémorial A 498 of 12 July 2019 and took effect retroactively as of 1 January 2019.

New monthly wage rates

The modified Article L 222-9 of the Labour Code stipulates that, as of 1 January 2019 and until the next adjustment in accordance with Article L 222-2, the monthly minimum social wage for non-qualified employees is €256.60 (with the index value of 100 weighted for the cost of living as of 1 January 1948).

This 0.9% increase has been made in addition to the 1.1% increase introduced by the law of 21 December 2018 modifying Article L 222-9 of the Labour Code (for further details please see "Changes to minimum social wage").(1)

Thus, as of 1 January 2019, the new monthly minimum social wage and the applicable legal thresholds and ceilings are as follows.

Wages, legal thresholds and ceilings

Gross monthly amount as of 1 January 2019 (814.40 index)
  • Monthly minimum social wage
  • Non-qualified employees – €2,089.75
  • Qualified employees – €2,507.70
  • Employees aged between 17 and 18 years old – €1,671.80
  • Employees aged between 15 and 17 years old – €1,567.31
  • Agreed compensation for wrongful termination of an employment contract
  • Damages for unfair dismissal set by the labour court
  • Voluntary compensation in the event of resignation or termination by mutual agreement (Article 115(9) of the Income Tax Law)
  • Automatically exempt from tax up to €25,077 (12 times the minimum monthly social wage)
  • Minimum starting monthly wage for a seven to 12-month trial period (Article L.121-5(2) of the Labour Code)
  • €4,365.18 (no change)
  • Minimum gross annual salary required to be paid on completion of a contract to apply a non-compete clause (Article L 125-8(3) of the Labour Code)
  • €55,518.22 (no change)

Endnotes

(1) Law of 21 December 2018 modifying Article L 222-9 of the Labour Code, published in Mémorial A 1166 on 21 December 2018.

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