Good news for your payslip: France's minimum wage (SMIC) rises by 2.41% on 1 June 2026. Since the minimum pay of work-study students is calculated as a percentage of the SMIC, this increase automatically flows through to your salary from the June payslip.
In short: on 1 June 2026, the gross hourly SMIC goes from €12.02 to €12.31, i.e. €1,867.02 gross per month for 35 hours (around €1,477.93 net). All minimum salaries under apprenticeship and professionalisation contracts rise mechanically in the same proportions, with no action needed on your part.
Why is the SMIC increasing in the middle of June?
The SMIC is usually revalued every 1 January. But the law also provides for an automatic mid-year revaluation whenever inflation measured for the 20% of lowest-income households exceeds 2% since the last increase. That threshold was crossed in the spring: a ministerial order published on 22 May 2026 therefore triggered the rise on 1 June 2026.
This revaluation is "automatic": neither you nor your employer has anything to do. The new minimum applies as of right from the June 2026 payslip.
In practice, for a full-time job of 151.67 hours per month:
- Gross hourly SMIC: €12.31 (compared with €12.02 since 1 January 2026);
- Gross monthly SMIC: €1,867.02 (compared with €1,823.03);
- Estimated net monthly SMIC: around €1,477.93, i.e. nearly €35 more net each month for an employee paid at the SMIC.
What is the new minimum salary for an apprenticeship?
Under an apprenticeship contract, your minimum pay is a percentage of the SMIC that depends on your age and the year of the contract. Here is the scale recalculated with the SMIC as of 1 June 2026:
| Apprentice's age | 1st year | 2nd year | 3rd year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 27% ≈ €504 | 39% ≈ €728 | 55% ≈ €1,027 |
| 18 to 20 | 43% ≈ €803 | 51% ≈ €952 | 67% ≈ €1,251 |
| 21 to 25 | 53% ≈ €990 | 61% ≈ €1,139 | 78% ≈ €1,456 |
| 26 and over | 100% of the SMIC, i.e. €1,867.02 gross | — | — |
Rounded gross monthly amounts, based on €1,867.02. Your collective agreement may set a more favourable minimum, in which case it applies. To understand the detailed calculation (social contribution exemptions, income tax), read our guide on understanding your work-study pay.
And under a professionalisation contract?
The professionalisation contract follows its own minima, also indexed to the SMIC:
- Under 21: at least 55% of the SMIC, i.e. around €1,027 gross;
- 21 to 25: at least 70% of the SMIC, i.e. around €1,307 gross;
- 26 and over: at least 100% of the SMIC (€1,867.02), or 85% of the collective agreement minimum if more favourable.
What should you check on your June payslip?
Three simple checks to make sure the increase has been applied:
- Check the hourly rate shown on your payslip: it must be calculated on the basis of €12.31 gross per hour, prorated by your percentage.
- Compare with your collective agreement: if it sets a minimum above the legal scale, that amount must be paid to you.
- Estimate your exact net pay in seconds with our pay simulator, updated with the June 2026 SMIC.
And remember: salary is only part of your budget. Housing benefits, Mobili-Jeune, driving licence aid… browse our financial aid to top up your income. Still looking for a company for the September 2026 intake? Now is the time: check the work-study offers published between May and July, the busiest period of the year.