Christmas bonuses are not mandatory in Germany but are voluntary payments, typically regulated through collective agreements or company agreements. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), about 86 percent of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements receive a Christmas bonus in November, averaging around 3,000 euros gross.
In companies without collective bargaining agreements, the figure is just about 41 percent. Overall, roughly half of all employees receive this additional bonus - amounts ranging from a few hundred euros up to a full month’s salary, and sometimes even more.
Christmas bonus worth a whole month’s salary
Some regional companies pay their employees a full thirteenth-month salary during the Christmas season. For example, unionized workers at Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken as well as at Teambank received a 100 percent bonus in November. The same goes for the staff at the Fürth-based company "Uvex." The "Universa Versicherung," headquartered in Nuremberg, does not pay a full bonus but still grants 80 percent of a monthly salary as a Christmas bonus.
Christmas bonus in the public sector depends on the pay grade
In the public sector, there are significant differences depending on the pay grade: Employees covered by collective agreements at the cities of Nuremberg and Erlangen, at the *Klinikum Nürnberg* and *Klinikum Fürth*, as well as at *Airport Nürnberg*, receive 84.51 percent in pay groups E1 to E8 and in social and educational services (S2 to S9), and 84.74 percent in nursing (P5 to P8). Trainees even receive 90 percent.
For higher pay grades such as E9a to E12 and S10 to S18, the annual special payment amounts to 70.28 percent, and in nursing (P9 to P16) 70.48 percent. Employees in pay grades E13 to E15 receive 51.78 percent. Civil servants receive 70 percent depending on the salary group (A3 to A11) or 65 percent (from A12 onwards).
Airport Nuremberg, Sparkasse Nuremberg and Siemens: Between 85 and 52 percent
Nuremberg Airport pays between 52 and 85 percent of one month’s salary, depending on the group, based on the average earnings from July to September. At the University Hospital Erlangen, the range is roughly between 32 and 87 percent.
Sparkasse Nürnberg transferred 72 percent of the previous October salary in November. According to a spokesperson, this special payment corresponds to the collective agreement TVÖD for savings banks. The Herzogenaurach-based sportswear manufacturer "Puma" paid exactly 60 percent of the gross monthly salary to the entire workforce in November 2025.
Siemens pays up to 55 percent of a monthly salary as Christmas bonus. At the automotive supplier ZF, the special payment varies between 25 and 55 percent depending on length of service. The commercial vehicle manufacturer "MAN Truck & Bus SE" pays Christmas bonuses according to the regional collective agreements for the metal and electrical industries. The amount depends on seniority and the respective gross monthly salary. The "Nürnberger Versicherung" contributed half a month’s salary as Christmas bonus at the end of this year.