Guide

What is a thirteenth month?

An end-of-year premium of roughly one month's pay — not a general legal right, but a right from your joint committee's or company's collective agreement, usually paid in December.

Thirteenth month

An end-of-year premium of roughly one month's pay — not a general legal right, but a right from your joint committee's or company's collective agreement, usually paid in December.

puntWork lists 381 listings offering a thirteenth month in Belgium today.

The thirteenth month is an end-of-year premium of roughly one month's gross pay. Important: there is no general legal obligation — the right follows from a collective agreement of your joint committee or your company, and the calculation (full month, percentage or lump sum), payment date and seniority conditions differ per sector.

If you joined or left during the year, many sectors provide a pro-rata premium under the agreement's rules. For tax, the premium is treated as an exceptional payment and carries a higher payroll-withholding rate than the ordinary monthly wage — so relatively less of it lands net. Whether your sector has an end-of-year premium and how it is computed can be found via your joint committee (FOD Employment).

The latest, the moment it lands

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Frequently asked questions

Is everyone entitled to a thirteenth month?

No — it is not a general legal obligation. The right and its calculation sit in your joint committee's or company's collective agreement.

When is the thirteenth month paid?

Usually in December, but your sector's agreement sets the exact moment and calculation (often pro rata if you joined or left mid-year).

Official sources

Joint committee The per-sector negotiation body (employers + unions) that sets your minimum wage, premiums and working conditions through collective agreements. Gross vs net Gross is the pay in your contract; net is what remains after the employee social-security contribution (13.07%) and payroll withholding tax. Job listings almost always state gross amounts. White-collar vs blue-collar Belgium's two historical worker statutes (intellectual vs manual labour). Notice rules were unified in 2014, but differences remain in areas like holiday pay and joint committee.

Updated