Employment Law · European Union
Recover the Salary and Wages Your Employer Owes You
Unpaid wages, missing overtime, withheld bonuses or an unexplained pay cut — when the money stops matching the agreement, you need to act before the sums grow and the evidence fades. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles salary disputes in your European country every day.
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Who this is for
Whether it is a single missing payment or months of underpayment, the money is yours by law
A salary dispute arises when what you are paid does not match what you are owed — unpaid wages, missing overtime, bonuses or commissions that were promised but never paid, unauthorised deductions, or a unilateral pay cut your contract does not allow. These disputes affect employees at every level, from hourly workers chasing unpaid overtime to executives owed substantial bonus or commission payments. The rules that protect you vary by country, but across Europe the principle is broadly similar: wages you have earned are generally protected, and employers cannot simply withhold or reduce them at will. We match you, free of charge, with an employment lawyer who handles salary disputes in your country every day, works out exactly what is owed, and pursues it on your behalf before the amounts grow or the evidence disappears.
Why employees stay silent
You are owed money, but raising it feels risky.
So the shortfall quietly grows.
Fear of damaging the relationship, or of losing the job, leads many employees to accept underpayment rather than claim what is legally theirs.
Unpaid overtime and hours
Extra hours, on-call time and weekend work are frequently under-recorded or unpaid. Without clear records, employers dispute what was worked — but your right to be paid does not depend on their convenience.
Withheld bonuses and commissions
Bonuses, commissions and performance pay are often withheld on vague grounds or paid late. Whether these are legally owed depends on your contract and the conditions attached, which a lawyer can assess precisely.
Unilateral pay cuts
Some employers reduce salary, remove allowances or impose deductions without agreement. Unless your contract or local law permits the change, a unilateral cut can be challenged and reversed.
What you get
A salary dispute lawyer who recovers what you are owed
We only match you with employment lawyers who handle wage and salary disputes regularly in your country.
Precise calculation
Your lawyer works through your contract, payslips and hours to calculate exactly what is owed — wages, overtime, bonuses and deductions — so your claim rests on solid figures.
Evidence gathering
Get help documenting unpaid hours, correspondence and payment records, building the paper trail that makes your claim difficult for an employer to dispute.
Formal demand and negotiation
Your lawyer sends a formal demand and negotiates recovery of the unpaid amounts, often securing payment without the stress and delay of formal proceedings.
Enforcement if ignored
If your employer refuses to pay, your lawyer pursues the matter through the appropriate labour authority or court in your country to enforce your right to be paid.
Coverage
Salary dispute lawyers across Europe
Wage protection rules are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works with your country’s employment rules on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Salary disputes — common questions
What counts as a salary dispute?
It covers any situation where you are paid less than you are owed — unpaid wages, missing overtime, withheld bonuses or commissions, unauthorised deductions, or a pay cut your contract does not permit. A lawyer can assess whether your specific situation gives you a legal claim.
Can my employer cut my salary without my agreement?
Generally not. A pay cut usually requires your agreement or a contractual or legal basis, and a unilateral reduction is often unlawful. A lawyer can review your contract and local law to advise whether the cut can be challenged.
How do I prove I am owed unpaid wages or overtime?
Keep records of your hours, payslips, contracts, and any written promises about bonuses or pay. A lawyer can help you gather and organise this evidence and identify what else is needed to support a claim.
Is there a time limit for claiming unpaid wages?
Yes, and it varies by country — typically a number of years, though shorter limits can apply. Because older claims may lapse, it is worth contacting a lawyer promptly rather than waiting until the amounts grow further.
Can I claim unpaid wages after I have left the job?
Yes, in most cases. Leaving does not cancel your right to wages already earned, including unpaid holiday, bonuses or commissions. A lawyer can confirm the time limits and pursue what is owed even after your employment has ended.
Will pursuing a salary dispute put my job at risk?
In many countries you are protected from retaliation for asserting your right to be paid, and dismissing someone for claiming wages can itself be unlawful. A lawyer can explain the protections in your country and help you act without unnecessary risk.
Free case review
You earned it — now make sure you are paid it
Tell us what is owed and we will connect you with an employment lawyer who handles salary disputes in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.