With the end of the year in sight, one of the most awaited moments for millions of pensioners in Spain arrives: the collection of the Christmas bonus. This additional income, which is added to the usual monthly payment, allows many retirees to meet holiday expenses and financially support their families during the December celebrations.
Unlike active workers, who usually receive this payment in December together with their paychecks, the Social Security pays the pensioners’ extra pay a month earlier, coinciding with the regular payment in November. This year 2025, the payment will be made in the last days of that month, although the exact date depends on the calendar of each bank.
When is the Christmas bonus for pensions paid in 2025?
The Social Security plans to make the payment at the end of November, but most banks are bringing the payment forward a few days so that beneficiaries can have the money before the last weekend of the month.
According to the information available, the payment will be made between November 21 and 25, depending on the bank. Some banks, such as Bankinter and Unicaja, choose to advance payment more than others, while CaixaBank and Santander tend to maintain the traditional schedule.
In any case, all pensioners will have received their extra pay by Sunday, November 30.
Dates by bank
These are the approximate dates on which each bank will pay the Christmas bonus in 2025:
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Bankinter: November 21
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Unicaja: November 21
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CaixaBank: November 24
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Santander: November 24
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BBVA, Sabadell, Ibercaja, Abanca and ING: between November 24 and November 25
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Caja Rural: November 25
In recent years, financial institutions have maintained a tendency to advance the payment with respect to the official date, allowing pensioners to have their money before the weekend. This advance payment does not affect the amount of the benefit or its origin, since the payment continues to depend on the National Social Security Institute (INSS), which transfers the corresponding amounts to each entity.
How to calculate the extra Christmas bonus for pensions
The Christmas bonus is equivalent to the same amount as the regular monthly payment received each month. In other words, the pensioner receives double the amount of his regular pension plus an additional payment of the same value.
Contributory pensions include two extra payments per year, one in June (summer) and one in November (Christmas). These are calculated by dividing by 14 the total annual amount corresponding to the beneficiary.
For example, if a person receives a monthly pension of 1,200 euros, in November he/she will receive 2,400 euros, corresponding to the monthly payment plus the extra pay.
Who will not receive the Christmas bonus
Not all pensioners are entitled to this special payment. Excluded from this payment are those who receive pensions derived from work-related accidents or occupational illnesses, since in these cases the special payments are prorated over the twelve monthly payments of the year.
This means that these pensioners already receive the full annual amount spread over their monthly payments, so they do not get an additional payment in November or June.
Beneficiaries whose pensions were recognized after November 30 or were suspended for part of the six-month period will not receive the extra pay. In such cases, the amount will be adjusted proportionally or excluded, depending on the individual situation.
