End-of-year premium (13th month)
The end-of-year premium or thirteenth month is an extra month's pay (or a percentage of it) paid in November or December. It is not required by general law but arranged by collective agreement in virtually all sectors, including technical ones.
Who is entitled to it?
Your entitlement follows from your joint committee's agreement or your company arrangements. In industrial committees such as JC 111 (metal) and JC 200 (white-collar) the end-of-year premium is standard. Conditions often apply, such as a minimum seniority of a few months in the year; those who started during the year usually receive a pro rata.
How much is it?
As a rule a full gross monthly salary for those who worked the entire reference year. Some sectors use a percentage of annual pay or a fixed amount. Whether shift and other premiums count in the calculation base depends on the agreement. The premium is taxed more heavily than ordinary pay (exceptional remuneration), so you keep relatively less net; that is normal and not a payroll error.
On leaving or dismissal
Those who leave or are dismissed keep a pro rata right for the months worked that year in most agreements, sometimes with seniority conditions. Check your sector rules before changing jobs: it quickly amounts to hundreds of euros.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get an end-of-year premium if I started this year?
Usually pro rata for the months worked, often after a minimum seniority (for example three or six months depending on your JC). Starting in autumn sometimes falls just outside that year's conditions.
Why is my end-of-year premium so low net?
Because as exceptional remuneration it is withheld at a higher payroll tax rate than your ordinary monthly pay. The final settlement in your tax return partly corrects this; excess withholding comes back to you.
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