There is no single EU minimum wage for interns -- each member state sets its own rules, and the differences are significant. A mandatory curriculum internship (Pflichtpraktikum) in Germany is exempt from minimum wage. The same student doing a voluntary internship in France must be paid at least EUR 4.35/hour. For university mobility coordinators, HR teams hosting Erasmus+ trainees, and students researching destinations, this table is the reference you need.
12 of 22 countries surveyed have either explicit internship minimum pay requirements or apply general minimum wage law to interns without exemption. 6 countries exempt academic curriculum internships. Only France, Netherlands, and Belgium have fully closed the loophole for internships exceeding 2 months.
Full table: internship pay rates by European country (2026)
| Country | Intern min. pay (2026) | Academic exemption? | Max unpaid duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | EUR 4.35/hr (EUR ~630/mo) | No exemption after 2 months | 2 months | Strict |
| Netherlands | EUR 13.27/hr (age 21+) | Education-linked only | None for real work | Strict |
| Belgium | EUR 4.25/hr min. for interns | Partial | 60 days | Strict |
| Germany | EUR 12.82/hr (voluntary internships) | Pflichtpraktikum exempt | Up to 3 months (voluntary) | Mixed |
| Spain | EUR 8.08/hr (65% SMI) | Yes, for official practicas | Varies by program | Mixed |
| Italy | EUR 300-800/mo (regional) | Curricular internships vary | Regional rules apply | Mixed |
| Portugal | EUR 820/mo (national min.) | Yes, up to 3 months | 3 months academic | Mixed |
| Austria | Sector-dependent (typically EUR 600-1.000/mo) | Pflichtpraktikum partly exempt | Case by case | Mixed |
| Sweden | No statutory minimum wage | N/A | Sector CBA applies | CBA-based |
| Denmark | No statutory minimum wage | N/A | Sector CBA applies | CBA-based |
| Luxembourg | EUR 2.637/mo (general min.) | Student internship partial | 4 weeks | High |
| Ireland | EUR 13.50/hr (national min.) | Part-time student exemptions | Minimal | High |
| Poland | PLN 28.18/hr (approx EUR 6.50) | Akademicki staz partially exempt | 3 months | Lower |
| Czech Republic | CZK 113.50/hr (approx EUR 4.50) | School-linked exempt | Academic semester | Lower |
| Hungary | HUF 1.270/hr (approx EUR 3.15) | University placement exempt | Commonly unpaid | Lower |
| Romania | RON 15.92/hr (approx EUR 3.20) | Academic internships commonly unpaid | Up to 1 semester | Lower |
| Switzerland | No federal minimum; cantons vary (CHF 20-24/hr typical) | School-linked arrangements vary | Cantonal rules | Cantonal |
| Norway | No statutory minimum; sectoral CBA applies | N/A | CBA-governed | CBA-based |
| Finland | No statutory minimum; sector CBA | N/A | CBA-governed | CBA-based |
| Greece | EUR 830/mo (general min.); internships often unpaid | Yes, widespread academic exemption | Common practice | Lower |
| Croatia | EUR 950/mo (general min.) | Staz programme has specific rules | Up to 1 year (staz) | Lower |
| Slovakia | EUR 750/mo (general min.) | Academic staz commonly exempt | Semester | Lower |
Sources: ETUC Internship Report 2025, national Ministry of Labour publications, Eurofound 2026 update. Rates correct as of June 2026. CBA = Collective Bargaining Agreement. Academic internship rules depend heavily on whether the internship is a mandatory curriculum requirement or voluntary.
Key findings for mobility coordinators
France: the most prescriptive regime in Europe
France closes the unpaid internship loophole more thoroughly than any other EU member state. Internships over 2 months must pay at least EUR 4.35/hour (15% of the Plafond de la Securite Sociale). Interns over 2 months also receive full social security registration, paid leave entitlement at the same rate as permanent staff, and access to company canteen subsidies. Host companies that breach these rules face EUR 2.000 fines per intern.
For Erasmus+ trainees: the host company must pay the minimum gratification on top of the Erasmus+ grant. They are not substitutable.
Netherlands: highest effective intern pay in continental Europe
The Dutch Wet minimumloon (minimum wage law) covers interns who perform real productive work, with very limited academic exemptions. From January 2026, the adult minimum wage is EUR 13.27/hour. For international interns placed through accredited universities (Erasmus+ channel), the exemption applies only if the internship is integral to an official degree programme and approved in writing by the educational institution. Dutch Labour Inspectorate (NLA) audits host companies for compliance.
Germany: the Pflichtpraktikum exemption
Germany's Mindestlohngesetz (minimum wage law) explicitly exempts mandatory curriculum internships (Pflichtpraktikum) from the EUR 12.82/hour minimum. This applies when the internship is prescribed by a study or training regulation. Voluntary internships lasting more than 3 months must pay full minimum wage. In practice, many German companies pay interns EUR 600-1.200/month regardless of legal requirement, as unpaid internships signal brand damage in the current labour market.
Nordic countries: no floor, but sector CBAs protect interns
Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland have no statutory minimum wage. Instead, sector-level collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) set floors. In practice, almost all paid internships in these countries fall under a CBA that sets minimum pay at EUR 11-16/hour equivalent. Interns should verify the applicable CBA with their trade union or the host company's HR before signing.
Erasmus+ and minimum wage: are they additive?
This is the most frequent compliance question mobility coordinators receive. The answer is: yes, in most countries, Erasmus+ grants are additive to, not a substitute for, national minimum wage entitlements.
- France: Host must pay minimum gratification regardless of Erasmus+ grant. Interns receive both.
- Netherlands: Same principle. Dutch minimum wage law is not waived by scholarship receipt.
- Germany: For Pflichtpraktikum, host is exempt from minimum wage regardless of Erasmus+ status. For voluntary internships over 3 months, minimum wage applies even if student receives Erasmus+ grant.
- Spain, Portugal, Italy: Mixed. Academic internships often exempt; host company stipends are strongly encouraged but sometimes not legally required.
For a full breakdown of Erasmus+ grant amounts by destination country, see the Erasmus+ traineeship grant amounts table.
Practical guidance for host companies
Hosting international interns across multiple European countries requires tracking different legal frameworks. Three practical steps:
- Classify the internship correctly: mandatory curriculum (Pflichtpraktikum/stage obligatoire) vs. voluntary. This single distinction determines whether statutory pay exemptions apply in Germany, Austria, and Spain.
- Check the duration: France, Belgium, and the Netherlands have duration thresholds (2 months, 60 days, real-work test) that trigger pay obligations. Short-term project internships under these thresholds have more flexibility.
- Document the Learning Agreement: Even where internships are legally unpaid, having a signed Learning Agreement (Erasmus+ format) provides protection for both host and intern and is required for any Erasmus+ funding the student claims.
To explore how interns present their international work experience -- and to refer students to the Living Profile platform -- see an example business profile or contact us at internshipabroad.me.