Young people aged 16-20 to earn higher minimum wage in 2027; Still lower than most

Young people aged 16 to 20 will earn a higher minimum wage in 2027. Minister Hans Vijlbrief of Social Affairs and Employment is increasing the amounts for these age groups starting January 1. With this, the D66 Minister is implementing the plan of the previous Cabinet.

The statutory minimum wage applies from the age of 21 and is currently set at €14.71 per hour. 15-year-olds earn 30 percent of that amount, and that remains unchained. 16-year-olds currently receive 34.5 percent, which will increase to 40 percent. For 17-year-olds, it goes from 39.5 to 50 percent. For 18-year-olds, it will increase from 50 to 62.5 percent.

Young people aged 19 previously received 60 percent of the statutory minimum wage, which will become 75 percent. For 20-year-olds, it will increase from 70 to 87.5 percent.

The higher wages will have to be paid by companies, Vijlbrief acknowledged, following the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday. “Employers never like it when costs rise, but they do like it when they can recruit people.”

Students in secondary vocational education (MBO) will also earn the regular minimum wage if they are in the work-study track (BBL). Young people aged 15 in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands will earn 55 percent of the minimum wage applicable there, which was a matter that was recently decided by the Cabinet.

The Tweede Kamer wanted to raise the youth minimum wage as early as 2026. However, Vijlbrief’s predecessor, Eddy van Hijum, did not implement the proposal from the lower house of Parliament.

Van Hijum instead announced an increase equivalent to the same percentages in April 2025 to take place this calendar year. Van Hijum was in the Cabinet as a member of NSC, and resigned from his role as NSC leader after that party’s crushing election defeat.