Christmas bonus calculator — Portugal 2026

How the Christmas bonus works in Portugal

Every employee in Portugal is entitled to a 13th monthly salary per calendar year, called subsídio de Natal (Christmas bonus). It must be paid by 15 December (Art. 263 n.º 1 Labour Code).

The formula

For a full calendar year with no suspensions, days worked = 365 and you get one full monthly salary. For year of hire, end of contract, or contract suspension, the value is reduced proportionally.

What counts as monthly salary

Only base salary plus seniority bonus (diuturnidades). Excludes meal allowance, commissions, performance bonuses, overtime pay or any variable component.

What counts as suspension

The Christmas bonus is reduced for periods when the contract was suspended, even if employment continued:

• Long sick leave (over 30 days)
• Unpaid leave (licença sem vencimento)
• Parental leave with full salary substitution
• Preventive suspension during disciplinary proceedings

Short sick leave (under 30 days) generally does not affect the bonus. Check your collective agreement (CCT) — some industries treat short sick leave as full salary for bonus purposes.

End of contract: when do you get it?

If your contract ends before 15 December, you get the pro rata for the time worked in the current year as part of the final settlement (acerto final de contas), together with the last salary, holiday pay and holiday allowance.

What if the employer does not pay?

Failure to pay the Christmas bonus by 15 December is a regulatory offence and falls under the same regime as unpaid salary. After 60 days of delay you can resign with just cause under Art. 394 and still receive unemployment benefit. You can also file a complaint with ACT.