Greece to introduce €500 Christmas bonus for public workers

Greece will introduce a €500 gross Christmas bonus for public-sector employees from December 2027, as part of a broader package of salary increases expected to raise incomes through early 2028.

The measure will cover about 720,000 public employees and carry an estimated annual cost of €433 million for the state budget, including employer contributions.

The actual amount received by workers will vary between €257 and €389 after deductions, depending on factors including salary, age and family circumstances.

The bonus will be included in regular earnings and will count toward pensionable income. Employees who have worked only part of the year will receive a proportional payment based on the months they worked from Jan. 1, 2027.

Further salary increases planned

Public-sector salaries will also rise through adjustments linked to increases in Greece’s minimum wage.

The minimum wage, currently €920, is expected to reach €1,000 by January 2028 through successive increases in April 2027 and January 2028.

The increase would provide an additional €80 gross per month, equivalent to €960 annually, for workers whose pay is linked to the minimum wage.

Combined with the Christmas bonus, the measures are expected to provide varying increases in annual income depending on employees’ salaries and personal circumstances.

The package represents a renewed effort by the government to increase public-sector earnings while providing additional financial support to households amid continued pressure on living costs.

Source:tovima