Slovenia is giving every eligible worker a tax-free cash boost in December, just in time for the holidays.
Under a plan from Slovenian prime minister Robert Golob, approved by parliament in November, around one million workers will receive a one-off €639 payment — roughly $744 — equal to half of the country’s €1,277 monthly minimum wage.
The move mirrors similar policies in other European countries and complements an existing Slovenian scheme that awards a bonus in the summer.
Why It Matters
The policy has sparked a split among European institutions and interest groups. The European Commission has warned that the scheme breaches EU fiscal rules, while Slovenian employers have voiced concerns about the financial burden. In contrast, trade unions and many workers have welcomed the decision as a much-needed cost-of-living relief.
The U.S. imported $6.4 billion worth of goods from Slovenia and exported $590 million to the country in 2024. If the new bonuses significantly affect Slovenian companies’ costs, this could, in turn, influence their competitiveness and their trade relationships. The growing trend of such bonuses might also encourage other governments or large employers to consider similar payouts, potentially affecting multinational businesses operating in Slovenia.
What To Know
Workers in Slovenia already receive a summer payment, commonly called the “13th month’s pay,” equivalent to one month’s salary and typically paid in June.
The new December payment is being framed as a “14th month’s pay.”
Employees who have been with a company for less than a year, as well as part-time staff, will receive a proportional share of the Christmas bonus based on the length and scope of their employment.
According to The Times, the measure is expected to cost Slovenia at least €600 million.
Slovenia is not alone in using this model. In Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy, most employees are legally entitled to a winter holiday bonus, which usually amounts to about one month’s wages.
What People Are Saying
Speaking to reporters in September, Golob said: “Based on the example of the holiday allowance, considered a kind of 13th-month pay, we intend to introduce a mandatory Christmas bonus, or the 14th-month pay.”
After Golob met U.S. President Donald Trump in December 2024, Golob’s office said in a statement that their discussion “took place in a friendly spirit,” and that Trump “did not hide his enthusiasm for the homeland of his wife and her family.”
What Happens Next
Most companies are expected to pay the new bonus on December 18. However, businesses with cash-flow problems or other financial constraints will have until the end of March to make the payment to their employees.
