EU Pay Transparency Rollout Splits as Italy Implements Directive and Many States Miss Deadline

Overview

• Italy published Legislative Decree No. 96 on June 1 and will bring the EU Pay Transparency Directive into force on June 7, 2026, anchoring key tests to national collective bargaining agreements and requiring written responses to pay information requests within two months.
• A majority of member states have signalled they will miss the June 7 transposition deadline, with Slovakia also reported as having completed transposition while many others plan phased rollouts or delayed implementation.
• Ireland confirmed it will not meet the deadline and will introduce the rules in stages, stating employers will face no penalties during the interim and that further legislation will follow to transpose remaining provisions.
• Unions led by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions say the delay will cost working women substantial wages, estimating a loss of more than €570 million a year, while employer groups warn unclear timelines and guidance are causing planning and compliance difficulties.
• Multinational employers are being urged to map country-specific rules, update job adverts and HR processes to show pay ranges, set up pay-information request procedures, and prepare for reporting and joint pay assessments where unexplained gaps of 5% or more emerge.