EU Pay Transparency Directive: pay in job ads

In force

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; follow the official sources and ask a qualified lawyer about your situation. Last checked: .

Who it applies to
All employers in the EU, public and private, regardless of size, once a member state has transposed it. Pay-gap reporting starts at 100 employees.
What the ad must include
  • The initial pay or its range, based on objective, gender-neutral criteria, in the vacancy notice or before the interview (Article 5).
  • Gender-neutral job titles and a non-discriminatory recruitment process.
  • No questions about the applicant's pay history.
Effective date
Adopted 10 May 2023. Member states had to transpose it by 7 June 2026. First pay-gap reports (250+ employees) are due 7 June 2027.
Penalties
Set by each member state; must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive, and include fines. The burden of proof shifts to the employer in pay discrimination cases.

Official sources