Council of State rejects reinstatement of public sector bonuses in Greece

Council of State public sector employees holiday bonuses 13th and 14th month salary Greek judiciary

The Council of State (StE) has issued a final ruling (decision 1201/2026) rejecting the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th month salaries and holiday bonuses for public sector employees in Greece. The court ruled that the decision of the legislator to maintain the abolition of these bonuses, originally enacted under Law 4093/2012, does not constitute an unconstitutional omission or a violation of European Union law.

In its reasoning, the Council of State cited European Court of Justice jurisprudence, noting that the regulation of wages and the determination of minimum wages remain the responsibility of individual Member States. The court also determined that the non-payment of these allowances does not jeopardize the decent living standards of public employees. Furthermore, the court noted that reinstating these payments would impose a permanent and significant burden on the state budget.

Labor unions, including ADEDY, have criticized the decision, describing it as a challenge to the rights of public servants and calling for organized protests. Legal experts suggest that because this ruling creates a legal precedent, any future reinstatement of these bonuses can now only be achieved through legislative action rather than judicial intervention.

Entities

ADEDY · Communist Party of Greece · Council of State · Court of Justice of the European Union · European Court of Justice · European Union · Giannis Karouzos · Greece

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The KKE criticized the ruling, claiming it legitimizes anti-popular policies and serves the interests of capital over workers. www.efsyn.gr
[● 18 SOURCES] The Council of State ruled that the non-reinstatement of holiday bonuses and leave allowances for public employees is constitutional and compliant with EU law. www.cna.gr · www.ifarsala.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.tastv.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +13 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The court ruled that the absence of these bonuses does not pose a risk to the decent living standards of public sector workers. www.ifarsala.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · www.dnews.gr · www.capital.gr · www.agrinionews.gr · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The court cited European Court of Justice jurisprudence stating that wage regulation and minimum wage determination are the responsibility of individual Member States. www.ifarsala.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · www.dnews.gr · www.agrinionews.gr · www.capital.gr · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Reinstating the 13th and 14th month salaries can now only occur through legislative action rather than court rulings. sinidisi.gr · www.flash.gr · www.reporter.gr · www.reader.gr · www.aftodioikisi.gr
[● 17 SOURCES] The Council of State issued decision 1201/2026 regarding the reinstatement of bonuses. www.cna.gr · fonimaleviziou.gr · www.ifarsala.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.tastv.gr · +12 more