Global Benefits Landscape: Key Updates Across EMEA

Healthcare Evolution and Social Security Updates

Armenia

It was announced that universal health insurance would be introduced in Armenia on a phased basis between 2024 and 2027. The latest update states that not all medical services will be covered by health insurance, but that it will be based on the most common diseases registered in the country. The intention is that it will be funded by a health tax payable by employees and the self-employed, and from the state budget.

Greece

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced measures to significantly reduce social security contributions for overtime, night work, and work on holidays or Sundays for full-time employees. Calculations will be based on the hourly wage that corresponds to an eight-hour workday and will not include any additional pay.

United Kingdom

Effective April 6, 2025, employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) are increasing to 15%, and the secondary threshold will reduce to £5,000 per year/£417 per month. NICs are a tax that employees and employers pay to fund social security benefits, including the State Pension.

Pension Reforms and Retirement Planning

Switzerland

Following a referendum on March 4, 2024, in which voters approved the introduction of the "13th pension," the government confirmed that the first payment will be made in December 2026, as planned. To finance the extra pension spending estimated to cost CHF 4.2 billion in the first year, the VAT rate will be increased by 0.7 percentage points. The additional monthly pension, payable once a year, will not affect the calculation of the old-age pension or other supplementary benefits.

Belgium

The new government, appointed in early 2025, presented its plans for pension reform. With regards to state pensions, the government plans to introduce a comprehensive bonus/malus system rolled out between 2030 and 2040. The system will impose penalties on early retirees while rewarding those who work beyond the standard retirement age. For company pensions (Pillar II), the government plans include mandatory enrolment in a supplementary pension plan with a minimum contribution of 3% of pensionable salary no later than 2035. The possibility of withdrawing savings to finance a property will be restricted.

Ireland

The automatic enrollment pension scheme, officially renamed “My Future Fund,” is expected to launch on January 1, 2026. The newly created National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) will manage the entire system and will be set up to administer the auto-enrollment scheme. The Pensions Authority will supervise the scheme.

Wage Developments and Work Condition Enhancements

Egypt

As of March 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Egypt increased to 7,000 EGP per month, up from 6,000 EGP. The National Wages Council has also introduced a minimum 250 EGP periodic bonus (or 3% of the insurance subscription wage) and set the first-ever minimum hourly wage for part-time workers at 28 EGP net.

Slovakia

Effective January 1, 2025, Slovakia implemented legislative changes that include updated meal allowances for business travel and increased employer contributions to meal allowances for shifts over four hours. Employers with more than 49 employees must contribute to sports costs for employees' children, capped at 55% up to 275 EUR per year. The minimum wage is now 816 EUR per month and 4.69 EUR per hour.

This article is the first in a three-part series on global benefits. Look for our upcoming blogs covering the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and Latin America.