SMIC 2025: Net, Gross, Monthly and Annual Amounts
07 April 2025 · 3 min reading time
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See job offersThe SMIC, or “Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance,” is France’s legal reference for the minimum wage. Expressed as gross SMIC, net SMIC, and hourly rate, it sets both the pre-deduction amount on the payslip and the take-home pay, plus the hourly rate for a full-time job. In an uncertain economic context, many ask: What will the gross and net SMIC be in 2025? What hourly minimum will apply to full-time work? And what upratings are planned this year to support purchasing power? This article explains in detail how the SMIC is set, clarifies the differences between these modalities, and shows how each evolution affects your overall remuneration.
What is the SMIC?
The SMIC (Legal Minimum Wage) is more than just a number on a payslip. It’s a cornerstone of the French economy, guaranteeing every worker a minimum income and serving as a social safety net to combat wage inequality. By setting a floor below which no employer may pay, it ensures basic living standards, especially in sectors with tight margins.
From SMIG to SMIC
The SMIC—or “Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance”—is far more than just a number on a payslip: it’s a cornerstone of the French economy. By setting a legally mandated minimum income below which no employer may pay their employees, it provides essential social protection and acts as a safety net against wage inequality—especially in sectors with narrow profit margins.
Before the SMIC’s introduction in 1970, France had implemented the SMIG (“Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti”) in 1950. At that time, the SMIG hourly rate was set at roughly 64 old francs (78 francs in Paris)—values that, although modest by today’s standards, represented a major social advance by establishing for the first time a legal income floor for all workers.
Over the years, the SMIG underwent periodic increases to keep pace with the cost of living. However, its formula did not dynamically reflect economic growth and inflation. Hence, in 1970 the SMIG was replaced by the SMIC—which not only added “growth” to its name but also introduced a more systematic revaluation mechanism (indexation to inflation and adjustments based on purchasing-power evolution).
Today, the SMIC remains a fundamental pillar of France’s social policy—guaranteeing a basic standard of living and playing a key role in narrowing wage gaps. This historical shift from SMIG to SMIC illustrates how the French state has progressively refined and strengthened its wage-protection mechanisms to accompany the economy’s and society’s evolution.
Who benefits from the SMIC?
All adult workers in France are covered by the SMIC. Later in this article, we’ll see how special rates apply to minors and apprentices, but the core guarantee extends to every major.
Regular upratings
Since its 1970 inception, the SMIC has been periodically adjusted to inflation and wage trends. On 1 November 2024, it rose by 2% to €11.88 gross per hour, or €1 801.80 gross per month for a full-time (35 h) contract. These measures reflect the government’s aim to stabilize household finances amid fluctuating economic conditions and rising prices.
A Differentiated Impact on Employers and Employees
The rise in the SMIC has different impacts depending on who you are. For employees, each increase is an opportunity to improve their quality of life and better cover everyday expenses. For employers—especially small businesses or labor-intensive sectors like hospitality or retail—these adjustments can put additional pressure on wage costs. This in turn raises complex questions about finding the right balance between economic competitiveness and social fairness.
What Is the SMIC Amount in 2025?
In November 2024, the SMIC was uprated to reflect economic changes and ensure adequate purchasing power for workers. No further adjustment is planned for 2025, maintaining the same salary conditions established by that November 2024 revision.
What Is the Net SMIC Amount in May 2025?
Net hourly SMIC (May 2025): €9.40 per hour. This figure represents the take-home pay per hour after social contributions have been deducted.
Net monthly SMIC (May 2025 – 35 h/week): €1,426.30 per month. Calculated on a full-time basis (35 hours weekly), this is the net salary received each month. By comparison, the net monthly SMIC was €1,398.69 before the November 2024 increase—a €27.61 rise.
Net annual SMIC (May 2025): €17,115.69 per year. This is the approximate yearly net income when you multiply the monthly net SMIC by 12.
What Is the Gross SMIC Amount in May 2025?
Gross hourly SMIC: €11.88 per hour. This is the pre‐deduction wage rate for each hour worked.
Gross monthly SMIC (35 h/week): Approximately €1,801.80 per month. Calculated on a full‐time basis (35 hours weekly), this is the gross salary before social contributions.
Comparison to pre-November 2024: The gross monthly SMIC rose from €1,766.92 to €1,801.80, an increase of €34.88.
Gross annual SMIC (May 2025): €21,621.60 per year—about €418.08 more than in 2024.
SMIC in Mayotte (2025):
Gross hourly: €8.98
Gross monthly: €1,361.97
Evolution of Gross SMIC (2020–2025):
| Year | Gross Monthly Minimum Wage(en €) |
|---|---|
| 2025 (to date) | 1801,80 |
| 2024 (After November 1st) | 1801,80 |
| 2024 | 1766,92 |
| 2023 (After May 1st) | 1747,2 |
| 2023 | 1709,28 |
| 2022 (After August 1st) | 1678,95 |
| 2022 (After May 1st) | 1645,58 |
| 2022 | 1603,12 |
| 2021 (After October 1st) | 1589,47 |
| 2021 | 1554,58 |
| 2020 | 1539,42 |
Evolution of the Net Minimum Wage from 2020 to 2025
| Year | Monthly Net Minimum Wage (SMIC)(en €) |
|---|---|
| 2025 ( to date) | 1426,30 |
| 2024 (After November 1st) | 1426,30 |
| 2024 | 1398,98 |
| 2023 (After May 1st) | 1383,08 |
| 2023 | 1353,07 |
| 2022 (After August 1st | 1329,05 |
| 2022 (After May 1st) | 1302,64 |
| 2022 | 1269,02 |
| 2021 (After October 1st) | 1258,22 |
| 2021 | 1230,6 |
| 2020 | 1218,6 |
SMIC for Minors in 2025
Young workers benefit from a special minimum‐wage scale that is generally lower than the adult rate, in accordance with their status and legal rules. In 2025, both the gross and net SMIC for minors have been adjusted to reflect economic changes while respecting the applicable regulations.
16-year-olds
Workers under 17 receive 80 % of the adult gross SMIC, i.e. €9.51 per hour as of 1 November 2024. After social‐security deductions, a 16-year-old apprentice nets about €7.50 per hour.
17-year-olds
Seventeen-year-olds are entitled to 90 % of the adult gross SMIC, or €10.70 per hour gross, which corresponds to approximately €8.45 net per hour.
Special case: Apprentices
Apprentices also have their own scale, which varies by age and training year. As they advance through their apprenticeship, their wage rate gradually converges on the adult SMIC. For example, an apprentice aged 26 or over earns the full adult rate, whereas a 19-year-old in the first year of apprenticeship receives roughly 43 % of the SMIC—around €775 per month.
Distinction Between Gross SMIC and Net SMIC
It is essential to distinguish between the gross SMIC and the net SMIC—two fundamental concepts in remuneration. The gross SMIC represents the minimum wage before any social contributions are deducted; it is the figure that appears on the employee’s payslip. In contrast, the net SMIC corresponds to the amount actually received by the employee after mandatory social contributions have been withheld.
Which social contributions are deducted from the Gross SMIC?
Calculating the net SMIC requires subtracting various social contributions, notably:
Employee social contributions: which fund social security (health, maternity, workplace accidents, family allowances, retirement, etc.).
CSG and CRDS: the Generalized Social Contribution and the Social Debt Repayment Contribution, both of which support the country’s social protection system.
Calculating the Net SMIC
Determining the precise net SMIC is complex, as it depends on multiple factors such as the employee’s age, family situation, and type of employment contract. Online salary simulators are available to estimate the net SMIC based on these individual parameters
Planned Increases: What’s on the Horizon for 2025
A measured rise is expected.
For 2025, experts forecast another SMIC increase, although the exact magnitude remains to be confirmed. Early projections suggest a lift of around 2–3%, in line with recent trends and partial inflation indexation mechanisms. If realized, the gross hourly SMIC could reach approximately €12.20, bringing the gross monthly amount for a full-time contract to nearly €1,850. These figures reflect both a political commitment to support workers’ purchasing power and an economic necessity amid persistent inflationary pressures.
What Are the Risks for an Employer Paying Below SMIC?
Paying a wage below the legal SMIC threshold is a violation of labor law and exposes the employer to clear penalties. For a first offense, the employer faces a fine of €1,500 (Labor Code, Art. R. 3233-1). In case of repeat offense, this fine increases to €3,000. Non-compliance with the SMIC can also damage the company’s reputation and foster a tense social climate, negatively affecting productivity and team cohesion. It is therefore essential for every employer to strictly adhere to the SMIC to avoid these financial and legal consequences.
Comparison with European Minimum Wages
In Europe, France is among the countries with one of the highest gross minimum wages. However, when adjusting for cost of living and social charges, the differences become more pronounced. For example, Luxembourg offers a gross minimum wage of around €15 per hour—well above France’s level—whereas countries like Bulgaria or Hungary remain significantly lower. These disparities reflect not only economic differences but also political choices that shape the role of minimum wage in each country.
Here are various examples of 2025 minimum wages abroad:
Spain: The Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI), established in 1963, is set at €1,134 gross per month in 2025, paid over 14 installments. It is reviewed annually to keep pace with inflation, ensuring a decent standard of living while supporting domestic consumption.
Netherlands: The Minimumloon, in force since 1969, amounts to €2,070 gross per month for workers aged 21 and over in 2025. Adjustments occur semi-annually for greater responsiveness to economic changes and inflation.
Belgium: The Salaire Minimum Réglementé, effective since 1945, is fixed at €1,955 gross per month in 2025. This figure is renegotiated yearly through multi-party discussions between unions and employers, ensuring continuous adaptation to economic and social conditions.
Italy: There is no single national statutory minimum in Italy. Instead, sector-specific minima are set by collective bargaining agreements. In 2025, these rates vary by industry and are regularly updated based on sector-level accords and economic conditions.
Sweden: Sweden stands out for having no legal minimum wage. Wages are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers, allowing flexible adjustments aligned with each sector’s economic realities while maintaining robust social protections for workers.
Calculation of the SMIC: Methodology and Implications
The SMIC in France is determined by legally defined, rigorous mechanisms. Two primary criteria are considered: inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, and the evolution of average wages for manual and clerical workers. This approach ensures that the minimum wage keeps pace with economic fluctuations, thereby preserving employees’ purchasing power. Additionally, the government may implement an exceptional “coup de pouce” (bonus increase) to address specific social or economic circumstances. Thus, the SMIC-setting process lies at the intersection of technical indices and political decision-making.
Future Perspectives: Toward an Indexed SMIC?
The idea of indexing the SMIC to broader indicators than just inflation and average wages is gaining traction in public debate. Some economists and labor advocates argue for a structural reform in which the minimum wage would be tied to measures such as national productivity or the real cost of living in different regions. Such a system would allow for finer adjustments of the SMIC to local economic realities, but it also raises questions about implementation complexity and potential regional disparities.
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