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Christmas Bonus & 13th Salary Calculator Germany 2026

How much of your Weihnachtsgeld, 13th salary or bonus is left after German taxes?

Your details

Net from your bonus

Of €3,800.00 you keep

€2,074.58

net (54.6% of the payment)

Additional taxes-€898.92
Additional social security-€826.50
Net from bonus€2,074.58

Calculated with the annual method for one-off payments; social security applies up to the remaining annual assessment ceilings. Assumptions: public health insurance (2.9%), no children, no church tax.

Bonuses on a German payslip

The joy of a 3,000 € Christmas bonus often ends with the November payslip, when only 1,500–1,800 € arrive. German payroll taxes one-off payments at your marginal rate and – up to the assessment ceilings – adds social security on top. The bright side for higher earners: above the ceilings, bonuses escape social security entirely. This calculator shows the exact net amount in advance, so year-end negotiations and job offers with a 13th salary can be compared realistically. For your regular monthly pay, use the German salary calculator.

FAQ: Bonuses in Germany

Why is my German bonus taxed so heavily?⌄
One-off payments ("sonstige Bezüge") are taxed with the annual method: the tax equals the difference between the annual tax with and without the bonus. Since the payment sits on top of your yearly income, your marginal tax rate applies – which is well above your average rate.
Am I entitled to a Christmas bonus in Germany?⌄
There is no statutory entitlement. Christmas bonuses come from collective agreements, works agreements, employment contracts or established company practice (three unconditional payments in a row create a claim). About half of German employees receive one.
Do social security contributions apply to bonuses?⌄
Yes, but only up to the pro-rata annual assessment ceilings. High earners whose regular salary already exhausts the ceilings (2026: 69,750 € for health, 101,400 € for pension insurance) pay partly or entirely no social security on the bonus.
What is the difference between a 13th salary and a Christmas bonus?⌄
A 13th salary is genuine remuneration for work performed and is paid pro rata if you leave during the year. A Christmas bonus is typically a loyalty payment that may depend on being employed at a cut-off date. Tax treatment is identical.
Can I reduce the tax on my bonus?⌄
The most effective options: convert part of the bonus into company pension contributions (up to 322 €/month tax-free in 2026), register a wage tax allowance, or – if your employer agrees – shift the payment into a lower-income year. Overpaid tax is refunded via the annual tax return.

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