What is a year-end bonus?
The year-end bonus, also called the “thirteenth month”, is a bonus paid by your employer (in this case the temporary-work agency). It forms part of your wage. So you must also pay social security contributions and taxes on it.
Am I entitled to a year-end bonus?
To be eligible as a temporary worker, you must have worked at least 65 days or 494 hours. If you work a six-day week, the minimum is 78 days (or 494 hours).
Example: to qualify for the 2025 year-end bonus, you had to have worked at least 65 days or 494 hours in the reference period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2025 (in a five-day week regime). Up to five days of economic unemployment are automatically treated as equivalent.
Who pays my year-end bonus as a temporary worker?
It’s paid by the 'Sociaal Fonds voor de Uitzendkrachten'. This fund is managed by employers and unions in the temporary-work sector.
When is this bonus paid?
If you meet the conditions (see above), you’ll receive a document from the Fund during December.
How much is the bonus?
The gross bonus equals 8.33% of the gross wage you earned as a temporary worker during the reference year.
From this gross bonus are deducted:
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13,07% for social security contributions
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23,22% for wage tax
The net bonus is about 66% of the gross bonus.
Source & more info: Sociaal Fonds voor de Uitzendkrachten.