Collective agreements 2026 and 2027

Minimum salaries, raises and ongoing negotiations per branch in Austria: what applies in 2026, what comes in 2027, every round since 2017 against inflation and with a source for every figure.

Branches compared

A collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag, KV) sets for a whole branch what every employment contract must at least contain: the minimum salary per job group and years of service, the holiday and Christmas pay, allowances and working hours. Almost every employee in Austria is covered by one; a salary may be higher, never lower.

Besides salaries, an agreement settles much that the labour laws only frame: overtime, night and shift premiums, allowances, travel expenses and per diems, normal working hours, partly also notice periods and pay during absences. It is usually concluded by the Chamber of Commerce and the union, in some branches by a voluntary employers’ association (in the social sector the SWÖ). Because almost every employer is a mandatory member of the Chamber, around 98.00 % of employees in Austria are covered by an agreement, including everyone who is not a union member.

Every year the union and the employers renegotiate the salaries (Handels-KV from 1 January, IT-KV from 1 January, Metaller-KV from 1 November, SWÖ-KV from 1 January, Gewerbe-KV from 1 January, Gastro-KV from 1 May, Bau-KV from 1 May, Elektro-KV from 1 May, Banken-KV from 1 April, Beamten-KV from 1 January). The starting point is inflation over the twelve months before, the reference period. There are usually two figures: the minimum raise for the salary table and the actual raise for the salary really paid.

Every round compounded: Handels-KV 37.53% against 36.62% inflation (2018–2026), IT-KV 38.76% against 37.49% inflation (2018–2026), Metaller-KV 40.00% against 38.48% inflation (2019–2027), SWÖ-KV 42.49% against 41.29% inflation (2018–2027), Gewerbe-KV 41.50% against 36.92% inflation (2018–2026), Gastro-KV 43.06% against 37.49% inflation (2018–2026), Bau-KV 44.43% against 37.97% inflation (2018–2026), Elektro-KV 41.94% against 37.46% inflation (2018–2026), Banken-KV 42.85% against 37.49% inflation (2018–2026), Beamten-KV 45.39% against 44.75% inflation (2018–2028). What is left after tax, and whether it keeps your purchasing power whole, each branch page works out with your salary.

Branch
2026
Inflation
2027
History
Handels-KV
+2.57%
3.01%
≈ +2.70%in talks
IT-KV
+2.75%
3.52%
≈ +2.90%in talks
Metaller-KV
+1.41%
3.01%
+1.90%agreed
SWÖ-KV
+2.40%
3.19%
+2.30%agreed
Gewerbe-KV
+2.70%
3.19%
≈ +3.20%forecast
Gastro-KV
+3.03%
3.52%
≈ +3.40%forecast
Bau-KV
+3.59%
3.52%
≈ +3.20%forecast
Elektro-KV
+1.85%
3.33%
≈ +2.70%forecast
Banken-KV
+3.14%
3.52%
≈ +3.20%forecast
Beamten-KV
+3.30%
3.01%
+1.00%agreed

2026 and 2027: actual raise where there is one, else the minimum raise. Inflation over the 2026 round's reference period. History: every round (bars) against inflation (line), lighter bar = forecast.

Frequently asked questions

Handels-KV: ≈ +2.70% (in talks); IT-KV: ≈ +2.90% (in talks); Metaller-KV: +1.90% (agreed); SWÖ-KV: +2.30% (agreed); Gewerbe-KV: ≈ +3.20% (forecast); Gastro-KV: ≈ +3.40% (forecast); Bau-KV: ≈ +3.20% (forecast); Elektro-KV: ≈ +2.70% (forecast); Banken-KV: ≈ +3.20% (forecast); Beamten-KV: +1.00% (agreed). Where talks are still on, the figure is our forecast from inflation over the reference period and the branch's last rounds; details are on each branch page.
Each branch has its own date: Handels-KV from 1 January, IT-KV from 1 January, Metaller-KV from 1 November, SWÖ-KV from 1 January, Gewerbe-KV from 1 January, Gastro-KV from 1 May, Bau-KV from 1 May, Elektro-KV from 1 May, Banken-KV from 1 April, Beamten-KV from 1 January. Talks run in the weeks before; the metal industry opens the autumn wage round.
An agreement between the union and the employers' side that applies to every employment in a branch. It sets minimum salaries, special payments (13th and 14th salary), allowances and working hours. Your contract may be better, never worse.
If the agreement has an actual raise, yes: it applies to the salary really paid. With only a minimum raise, your salary only has to rise enough not to fall below the new minimum; in retail the over-payment is also kept in euros.
Yes. The agreement covers every employment in a company that falls under it, whether or not you are a union member (§ 12 Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz). What counts is your employer's branch, not your job.
That is rare in Austria. For some areas without an agreement, the Federal Conciliation Office sets a minimum wage tariff that works like one. Where there is none, only your employment contract applies; Austria has no general statutory minimum wage.
  • Handels-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Angestellte und Lehrlinge in Handelsbetrieben
  • IT-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Angestellte von Unternehmen im Bereich Dienstleistungen in der automatischen Datenverarbeitung und Informationstechnik
  • Metaller-KV · Kollektivvertrag für die Arbeiter:innen bzw. Angestellten der Metalltechnischen Industrie (ausgenommen Berufsgruppe Gießereiindustrie)
  • SWÖ-KV · Kollektivvertrag der Sozialwirtschaft Österreich (SWÖ-KV)
  • Gewerbe-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Angestellte im Gewerbe und Handwerk und in der Dienstleistung
  • Gastro-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Arbeitnehmer:innen im Hotel- und Gastgewerbe (bis Oktober 2024: für Arbeiter:innen)
  • Bau-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Bauindustrie und Baugewerbe (Arbeiter)
  • Elektro-KV · Kollektivvertrag für die Arbeiter:innen bzw. Angestellten der Elektro- und Elektronikindustrie
  • Banken-KV · Kollektivvertrag für Angestellte der Banken und Bankiers
  • Beamten-KV · Gehaltsgesetz 1956 und Vertragsbedienstetengesetz 1948
  • Inflation · Statistik Austria: consumer price index (VPI), monthly
  • Forecast · WIFO: inflation forecast

Every figure is sourced on its branch page (protocol, WKO, union). More branches to follow.