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Half of Workers in Germany Receive Christmas Bonus, Survey Shows

Tariff coverage is the clearest determinant of eligibility, with non-tariff employees far less likely to receive a payment.

Overview

  • The WSI/Lohnhilfe.de analysis of roughly 58,000 employees finds that 51% receive a year-end bonus.
  • In tariff-bound workplaces, 77% receive the payment compared with 41% in non-tariff firms, highlighting the collective bargaining effect.
  • Sector norms vary: many pay about one extra monthly salary, iron and steel pay 110%, and public employers provide a consolidated special payment of 52% to 85% by pay group.
  • Tariffed amounts span widely, from €250 in Bavarian agriculture to €4,235 in North Rhine’s chemical industry for mid pay groups.
  • Large employers confirm differing rules, with BMW at 85% for 2025 and 2026 before a planned return to 100% in 2027, several Munich manufacturers using tenure-based scales, and Amazon and Lidl offering alternative bonuses.