BCCI Survey: 67% of Employers Are Ready to Give Christmas Bonuses to Their Employees

The traditional pre-Christmas survey, conducted by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the period 9-13 December 2025, does not show any significant change in the practices of Bulgarian companies regarding additional remuneration (bonuses) around Christmas. However, the share of companies that will give bonuses is smaller compared to 2024 (67% compared to 74%). The survey was attended by organizations and enterprises from various sectors - manufacturing, services, trade, machinery and equipment, food and beverages and others, providing an in-depth look at the dynamics of motivational policy in the country.

The majority of companies are again planning to give bonuses, which is positive in today's dynamic environment and shows the desire of employers to encourage and motivate their employees when the company's capabilities and resources allow. The share of companies that are motivated primarily by an improved financial situation remains the same as last year.

The share of companies planning not to give bonuses is 21% for 2025 (14% in 2024). Businesses are more careful when planning additional expenses at the end of the year, but employers continue to look for ways to provide additional material benefits, although often smaller than in previous years. However, there is also a retention of the share of companies that have not yet made a decision and are waiting for the last working days before the holidays, with this share for 2025 and 2024 being 12%. These results could be interpreted in the context of the dynamics of the following indicators and external macroeconomic factors:

• • the upcoming increase in the minimum wage from January 2026, which will create additional financial costs for companies. 1.30% of companies cited the expected increase in staff salaries as a reason for refraining from a Christmas bonus
• the general lack of financial resources, which is a reflection of current economic conditions. The share of companies (12.34% in 2025) that cite the financial condition of the enterprise as the leading reason for refraining from bonuses is rising
• some companies have already increased their employees' salaries during the current year or are currently giving other types of bonuses during the year, which seems to have reduced their need or desire to provide additional Christmas bonuses.

Regarding the way bonuses are determined, the study shows that a large percentage of employers provide bonuses based on the individual performance of each employee (47%). Those that give the same amount to everyone are 41.22%. There is a significant percentage of companies (12.21%) that determine the bonus according to the hierarchy and position in the company.

Regarding the amount of bonuses planned by employers, the largest share is occupied by those that will determine an amount within 200-500 BGN (29.63%), as well as those that will organize a Christmas party for employees. There is a decrease in the percentage of companies that will give bonuses only up to 200 BGN - from 24.19% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. At the same time, there is also a slight increase in larger bonuses over 1000 BGN (they can even be defined in the range of the 13th salary).

Conclusion: 58.78% of companies retain the same amount of bonuses compared to last year, while a significant share of 27.48% have increased the amount of their bonuses. Only 13.74% plan to provide lower bonuses, which is an increase of 0.41% in 2025.