Nearly 60% of German Workers to Miss Christmas Bonuses in 2025

The holiday season brings little cheer for millions of German workers. Unions slam employers as data shows a widening pay gap—who’s really getting left behind?

, and Administrator

2025 November 28 . 1:15 AM

1 min read

Here in this picture we can see a group of people standing near a store and protesting with banners... — Here in this picture we can see a group of people standing near a store and protesting with banners and play cards in their hands and behind them we can see a store and we can see a pillar and lights on the roof present over there.

DGB: Many Employees Miss Out on Christmas Bonus - Nearly 60% of German Workers to Miss Christmas Bonuses in 2025

A new report shows that nearly six in ten employees in Germany will miss out on a Christmas bonus this year. The figures highlight a sharp divide between workers covered by collective agreements and those who are not. Trade unions have criticised employers for failing to offer fair pay deals.

In 2025, only 41% of workers in Germany will receive a Christmas bonus. This means 59% of employees in the region will get nothing extra. The gap is even wider when comparing those with and without collective agreements.

The data reveals a clear split in who benefits from Christmas bonuses. Workers under collective agreements are far more likely to receive extra pay than those without. The DGB continues to push for better wage deals to close the gap in Germany.