German Christmas bonus after tax on €5,500 a month (2026)
Christmas bonus by tax class
| Tax class | Half salary, net | Full salary, net |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | €1,361.87 | €2,865.72 |
| 2 | €1,394.87 | €2,933.72 |
| 3 | €1,561.87 | €3,291.72 |
| 4 | €1,361.87 | €2,865.72 |
| 5 | €1,229.87 | €2,609.72 |
Deductions from a full bonus (tax class I)
| Bonus gross | €5,500.00 |
|---|---|
| Wage tax | €1,668.00 |
| Solidarity surcharge | €0.00 |
| Health insurance | €300.78 |
| Care insurance | €82.50 |
| Pension insurance | €511.50 |
| Unemployment insurance | €71.50 |
| Net | €2,865.72 |
The wage tax is the difference between the annual tax with and without the bonus, worked out with the official 2026 BMF program. Assumptions: paid in November, employed all year, statutory insurance with a 2.9% surcharge, childless, no church tax.
Because your pay is above the health insurance ceiling, €2,062.50 of the bonus is free of health and care contributions.
Church tax, children, another month or amount: use the Germany bonus tax calculator. Your regular take-home is on €5,500 a month after tax.
Other gross salaries
Frequently asked questions
How much of a Christmas bonus do I keep on €5,500 a month?
From a full month's pay €2,865.72 in tax class I, €3,291.72 in tax class III and €2,609.72 in tax class V.
Why is the tax on a bonus so high?
Because the bonus comes on top of your annual salary, so it is taxed at your highest rate.
Does the same apply to holiday pay?
Yes. Holiday pay, bonuses and other one-off payments are calculated the same way; only the payment month changes the contribution ceiling.
Calculated under Section 39b (3) EStG and Section 23a SGB IV; wage tax checked to the cent against the BMF tax calculator interface. Updated 2026-11-04.