With the planned increase, the cabinet ensures that young people will be financially better off. The table below shows the current percentages of the minimum youth wage and the percentages from 2027 by which the minimum youth wage is derived from the minimum wage.
| Age | Current scale | Current amount | After increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 years and older | 100% | € 14.40 | 100% |
| 20 years | 80% | € 11.52 | 87.5% |
| 19 years | 60% | € 8.64 | 75% |
| 18 years | 50% | € 7.20 | 62.5% |
| 17 years | 39.5% | € 5.69 | 50% |
| 16 years | 34.5% | € 4.97 | 40% |
| 15 years | 30% | € 4.32 | 30% |
The minimum youth wage will be adjusted via a General Administrative Order (AMvB). In the same AMvB, the (currently lower) minimum youth wage for students in the vocational learning pathway (bbl) in secondary vocational education will be aligned with the regular minimum youth wage. Additionally, a minimum youth wage percentage of 55% of the minimum wage will be introduced for 15-year-olds in Caribbean Netherlands, where currently no minimum wage percentage is set for this age.
Would you like to contribute your thoughts on this topic? Interested parties can respond until January 15, 2026 via the internet consultation.
