Minimum pensions across the European Union vary sharply, with monthly payments ranging from a few hundred euros in some member states to more than €2,350 in Luxembourg, according to a study by the Cyprus parliament’s research services.
The figures have emerged as the government and social partners intensify talks on pension reform and Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas says increases in Cyprus’ minimum pensions will range from 5% to 55%.
The study, commissioned at the request of AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros, found significant differences between national pension systems because of variations in social insurance arrangements, living standards and the cost of living.
Cyprus and Greece
In Cyprus, the full basic pension is €483.77 a month, while the minimum pension for beneficiaries without dependants is €411.20. The social pension stands at €391.85 a month.
In Greece, the full national pension is currently €436.40.
For reduced pensions, the amount falls by 2% for each year below 20 years of insurance, with a minimum qualifying period of 15 years.
The amount is also reduced by one-fortieth for each year below 40 years of permanent and legal residence in Greece before an old-age pension application is submitted.
Where an early old-age pension is granted, the payment is reduced by 6% for each year before the legal retirement age, up to a maximum reduction of 30%.
Western and northern Europe
In Austria, the basic pension amount is €1,273.99 for single people and €2,009.85 for married couples.
Belgium’s minimum monthly pension for a full 45-year career is about €1,619 gross, or around €1,500 net, for employees and self-employed workers.
In Estonia, people with fewer than 15 years of pensionable service receive a national pension, which stood at €393.26 in 2025. Those with at least 15 years of service but low earnings may receive a below-average pension, but not less than the national pension.
Italy’s minimum pension may change each year and depends on the beneficiary’s personal circumstances.
In Croatia, the minimum pension for each year of pensionable service is set at 106% of the pension’s current value on the date it is calculated.
Latvia calculates its minimum old-age pension when the pension is granted or reviewed. Since 1 January 2025, the calculation has been based on the 2022 median income of €754.74.
Luxembourg has a minimum gross monthly old-age pension of €2,350.89 for beneficiaries who have completed 40 years of insurance.
In the Netherlands, pension payments depend on whether a person lives alone or with another adult and on the number of years they have lived or worked in the country.
Since 1 July 2025, the minimum net monthly pension has been €1,527.63 for people living alone and €1,045.91 for married people or those living with another adult.
An additional annual allowance is also paid, calculated at €100 a month for people living alone and €71.71 a month for married or cohabiting beneficiaries.
In Portugal, disability and old-age pension recipients under the general system with fewer than 15 years of contributions are guaranteed a minimum pension of €331.79.
The minimum is €348.05 for those with between 15 and 20 years of contributions, €384.07 for those with 21 to 30 years and €480.08 for those with at least 31 years.
Sweden’s minimum guaranteed pension is €1,095 a month for a single person and €992 for a married person.
The highest guaranteed pension applies to people who have lived in Sweden for at least 40 years since turning 16 and who have no income-based pension or receive only a very low one.
The study lists maximum guaranteed pension amounts of €1,667 a month for married people and €1,509 for single people.
Beneficiaries may also apply for housing support of up to €671 a month.
Financial support for older people stands at €692 a month for single beneficiaries and €557 for married beneficiaries. Those receiving this support may also apply for housing benefits of €690 a month for single people and €345 for married people.
Finland’s full guaranteed pension is €986.30 a month.
Eastern Europe
Bulgaria sets its minimum pension for insurance service and old age annually through legislation. The current amount is €322.38.
In Hungary, the statutory minimum full old-age benefit is about €74.10 a month. No minimum applies when the insurance period is shorter than 20 years.
Poland’s minimum gross old-age pension has stood at about €440 since 1 March 2025.
Romania provides a minimum guaranteed pension of €253 a month.
Slovakia’s minimum pension was €397.70 a month, while Slovenia’s minimum pension base stood at €774.67.
The Czech Republic has a minimum pension of €255.
Countries without a fixed minimum pension
France does not have a single minimum pension but operates a guaranteed minimum system linked to the number of insured years and whether a person qualifies for a full pension.
The guaranteed minimum stood at €747.69 a month in 2025 and may rise to between €800 and €850 for people who meet the full insurance requirements.
Germany also has no statutory minimum monthly pension. Payments depend on years of insurance, earnings and contributions.
Pensioners with low incomes may qualify for the state’s basic old-age support, known as Grundsicherung im Alter. The payment is calculated according to living needs and may amount to about €900 to €1,000 a month, depending on individual circumstances.
Lithuania has no fixed minimum pension either. People receiving low pensions are automatically paid supplements linked to minimum consumption needs, which were estimated at €450 in 2025.
Where a person has completed the required service period but receives a pension below the minimum consumption threshold, a supplementary payment is added.
For those who have completed only the minimum 15-year service period, the pension cannot be lower than the basic pension, which stood at €298.45 in 2025. A further supplement of €66.68 is added to that amount.