The quiet season is approaching—and an expensive one. Because Christmas is just around the corner. We are happy when we can buy beautiful gifts for our loved ones—provided, of course, we have the financial means. Since life in Munich is expensive, many residents already have to count every penny carefully. For many employees, the Christmas bonus becomes an important part of their financial planning, often paid out now with the November salary. However, not everyone receives one. Who gets what? The Gazeta tz conducted a survey in Munich.
Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements are the primary beneficiaries of Christmas bonuses. This includes public sector workers, such as municipal administration staff.
The amount of the Christmas bonus, usually calculated as a percentage of the monthly salary, varies by industry. According to a survey by the Institute of Economic and Social Sciences (WSI), about half of employees in Germany receive one. Among those covered by collective agreements, this figure is almost 86 percent. A full additional month’s salary is often paid. However, in smaller firms, many employees receive nothing.
Major Munich employers like Siemens, Munich Re, or BMW pay a 13th-month salary, although the automaker will pay only 85 percent this year and next. The full 100 percent is not scheduled to return until 2027.
A full 13th salary as a special payment, according to the WSI, is received by workers in the chemical industry, parts of the energy sector, the railway, and private banking. The steel industry pays 110 percent of the monthly earnings, combining Christmas and holiday bonuses into an annual special payment.
The public sector also has an annual special payment. For municipal employers, the amount ranges from 52 to 85 percent of the monthly remuneration, depending on the pay grade. In Munich, nearly 45,000 municipal employees benefit from this—those who look after children, teach, officiate weddings, plan cycle paths, and more. Municipal utilities, the police, city theaters, and savings banks also make payments according to the collective agreement for the public sector (TvöD).
Munich-based aircraft engine manufacturer MTU has a structured system: it pays employees covered by collective agreements 55 percent of their monthly salary as a Christmas bonus after three years of service. The amount increases gradually before that. The same applies at MAN, Knorr-Bremse, and Infineon. These are also companies bound by collective agreements in the metalworking and electrical industries. Munich Airport transfers money according to a similar graduated system.
A winter and summer bonus of €1,200 is paid at Amazon. Lidl also pays a Christmas bonus but did not want to disclose the amount. Additionally, Lidl employees in Germany receive a Christmas parcel “with many surprises, sent directly to their homes.” Tech giants like Google, Apple, or Microsoft declined to comment on the matter.
Sources: Gazeta tz, Institute for Economic and Social Sciences (WSI)
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