Slovenian mandatory winter bonus regulations

In Slovenia, employers are legally required to pay a winter regres, or Christmas bonus, to all employees. For 2026, the minimum amount is set at 740.94 euros, which is half of the minimum wage. This payment must be made in cash by December 18, with proportional amounts provided for part-time workers or those employed for less than a full year.

The Constitutional Court of Slovenia recently ruled that certain provisions of the law regarding these mandatory bonuses are unconstitutional due to their retroactive application. The court found that the law, which took effect on November 20, 2025, improperly allowed the 2025 bonus calculation to include employment periods prior to the law's enactment. While the court invalidated these retroactive aspects, it did not abolish the right to the bonus itself; employees employed for at least one day during the calendar year remain entitled to a proportional bonus.

The Chamber of Crafts and Small Business of Slovenia (OZS) criticized the legislation, labeling it ‘pre-election sweets’ and arguing that such obligations should be non-mandatory and free from taxes. However, the Ministry of Labour and the Inspectorate have clarified that the winter bonus is a worker's right that cannot be negotiated, reduced, or reclaimed.