The corresponding government decision on the approval of the amount of the forecasted average monthly wage in the economy for 2026 was published on 18 December. It is set at 17,400 lei, 11% higher compared to 2025. This indicator will also be used to calculate temporary disability benefits, the limit of insured income, material assistance of trade unions and employers, as well as taxes in the IT sector.
For IT park employees, the insured monthly income will be 68% of the average salary, i.e. 11,832 lei. The minimum amount of single tax for residents of IT parks will be equal to 30% of the average salary.
Material assistance not subject to social contributions is limited to one average salary – 17,400 lei per year per employee. Amounts above this limit are subject to mandatory social contributions.
The national minimum wage from January 1, 2026 will be 6,300 lei. Social contributions are calculated based on the actual time worked and cannot be lower than the minimum level. For part-time workers, the minimum contribution is 25% of the contribution calculated from the minimum wage.
Public sector employees whose salaries will be lower than the minimum of 6,300 lei will receive a compensation covering the difference. Almost 300 million lei is budgeted for this purpose.
Before the approval of the salary indicators for 2026, there were active disputes between trade unions, employers and the state. Trade unions demanded to raise the minimum wage to 8,050 lei, considering the proposed 6,300 lei insufficient for a decent standard of living. Education unions even held a protest action demanding an increase in the basic rate for teachers, but they never achieved a revision of the figures.
Let us remind you that in 2025 in Moldova the average salary is 16,100 lei, the minimum salary is 5,500 lei.
The new indicators will come into force on January 1, 2026.
