A piggy bank hung with a colorful string of lights
Finance & Law
27.10.2025 Sabrina Ludwig 24276

How to protect your Christmas bonus from garnishment!

If you have financial problems and debts and have already had your wages or salary garnished, you can still look forward to receiving your employer's Christmas bonus. This is because the Christmas bonus is protected from garnishment up to 780 euros.
 

In summary: Protect your Christmas bonus from garnishment

Christmas bonus has been protected against garnishment up to 780 euros since July 2025. Employers pay out the protected amount automatically.

In the case of account seizures, the seizure protection on the P-account must be increased by application. Special payments at the end of the year are also protected if they are paid between November and January.

How high is the garnishment protection for Christmas bonuses?

The regulations are clear: Christmas bonuses are unattachable up to half of the monthly allowance in accordance with section 850c (1) no. 3 ZPO in conjunction with section 850c (4) no. 1 ZPO. Since July 1, 2025, this amount has been a maximum of EUR 780 (section 850c (1) no. 3 ZPO in conjunction with section 850c (4) no. 1 ZPO).

Note tax deductions for Christmas bonuses

You must bear this in mind: Taxes and social security contributions are deducted from the 780 euros.

Automatic payout and garnishment protection - what employers need to do

The employer must determine how much of the Christmas bonus is non-garnishable and transfer it to the employee with the salary. This happens automatically and the employee does not need to worry about anything.

If this does not happen automatically, the person concerned must initiate a clarifying discussion with their employer.

Do you have an account seizure? Then do so:

However, if you have an account attachment, you should urgently increase the amount that cannot be attached to the attachment protection account (P account) by the amount of the Christmas bonus.

Just because you have a P-account does not mean that the garnishment-free Christmas bonus is protected.

"This is because the protected basic amount and other already certified allowances will generally not be enough to secure the extra Christmas bonus," the consumer advice center points out on its website.

For this purpose, the debtor must file a corresponding application with the enforcement court of the place of residence, which is a division of the local court.

Sample letter: Additional release of the Christmas bonus for a P-account

A sample letter (additional release of the Christmas bonus for a P-account) can be easily downloaded from the consumer advice center:

Sample letter: Additional release of the Christmas bonus

When does garnishment protection also apply to special payments?

Important: The special remuneration paid out at the end of the year does not necessarily have to be called Christmas bonus or Christmas gratuity in order to receive the additional attachment protection. It is sufficient if the payment is made in connection with Christmas - i.e. between mid-November and mid-January of the following year.

Tips for those affected - act quickly!

Those affected should take action quickly, as the Christmas bonus is usually paid out with the November salary.

Help and contacts:in

If you have any questions or need assistance, affected employees whose company is a customer of pme Familienservice are welcome to contact the

pme income and budget counseling team
Angelika Heede
(specialist advisor)

Sources:

Consumer advice center

zero Interview with communications expert Karin Kuschik

to see the communication expert Karin Kuschik
Tips & Tricks
10.10.2025 Isabel Hempel 916

Karin Kuschik: How clear words make life easier

Using words to get through life with confidence - that is the motto of Karin Kuschik, communication expert and bestselling author. In her books and coaching sessions, she shows how individual sentences and the right attitude can make everyday life much easier, whether at work or at home. We spoke to her about the power of language, typical pitfalls in dealing with others and her mission.

"Sometimes a single word is enough to appear confident"

1. you write about sentences that make life easier - what exactly is behind them?

Karin Kuschik: Exactly that. A treasure chest full of phrases that you can use in the business jungle and also privately - with friends, family or strangers. Many of my clients report interpersonal issues that feel huge and yet can be resolved quickly if you have the right attitude and know the right tools. I provide both in my books. Because a lot has come together in 25 years as a coach.

2 What inspired you to focus on the power of individual formulations?

My love of language and the desperation of my clients. I love quick solutions - shortcuts, so to speak. Sometimes a single word is enough to appear confident, for example: "I understand you very well AND I see things differently". Or a well-phrased sentence to set boundaries, such as: "I'm sorry if I've given you the impression that you can talk to me like that!".

These sentences remind us that we are always the pilot or captain of our own lives. We decide what we think and feel and how we act.

3 Why are clear, well-chosen words so important in everyday life?

Language is our means of expression and we are always listening to ourselves - like an inner dialog, so to speak. If we constantly say "I still have to ...", we feel under pressure. If we use clear, positive language instead, we come across as such. For example: "This is not a problem, it's not the first time we've done this" or "We've practiced at this, we're good at it". That makes a huge difference.

"My favorite motto: Be realistic. Expect miracles"

4. are there situations in which many people struggle with words?

Yes, especially when it comes to setting yourself apart charmingly, clearly and calmly. Many people only know extremes: swallow everything or get loud. If you don't want to come across as bossy, you often put up with too much - and then come across as snippy, which doesn't go down well.

A lack of boundaries is a classic women's issue: between macho and girl, the girl role is often chosen because the alternative doesn't fit. My work helps to find the golden mean in a relaxed way.

Exclusive: Karin Kuschik at pme Familienservice 

For customers of pme Familienservice , coach and bestselling author Karin Kuschik will be presenting on 10.12.2025 from 19:00 to 20:30 in the exclusive webinar "5 sentences that make life easier" before. She will show you how to communicate more confidently, set better boundaries and remain more relaxed in conversations. Her motto "I still decide who annoys me" stands for self-management in everyday life and in business.

5 What is your mission with your work?

Ease, clarity, sovereignty. Many readers and listeners report: "I did it, it worked, it was easier than I thought". It's rarely the circumstances themselves that upset us, but the way we look at them. And who upsets us is ultimately up to us.

6. in conclusion - a sentence you would like to pass on to our readers?

Be nice to yourself and don't immediately accept a no. See it as a conversation starter, as an offer. Many things are not as they seem. What was impossible yesterday may miraculously work out today. Reality is always negotiable. My favorite motto: Be realistic. Expect miracles.