Can you receive the Christmas bonus when you don’t have children? How much is the assistance for parents depending on the size of the household? When will it be paid to beneficiaries? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Christmas bonus.
Every year, shortly before the holidays, the most precarious households can benefit fromexceptional help : the Christmas bonus. Paid by the CAF and the MSA, or even France Travail depending on the case, this measure is part of the government’s desire to refocus aid on the families most affected by the rise in the cost of living. This year, all the usual beneficiaries will receive the Christmas bonus as planned at the end of 2025, although its continuation for people without children is debated for 2026. Payment date, conditions, amount… Here is all the information you need to know about payment of the Christmas bonus.
When is the Christmas bonus paid this year?
The Christmas bonus is paid automatically around ten days before the holidays, in December. This year, the Ministry of Labor clarified that it would be settled “from December 16” 2025. More than 2.2 million households are expected to benefit.
Depending on the number of children, what is the amount of the 2025 Christmas bonus?
THE Christmas bonus amounts have not changed since 2009. The government could decide on an increase, but nothing is planned for the moment. THE basic amount remains the same as in previous years: 152.45 euros for a single person. Please note that the amount of the Christmas bonus varies depending on the number of dependent children and your family situation:
| Family situation (RSA) | If you live alone | If you live as a couple |
|---|---|---|
| Without children | 152.45 euros |
228.67 euros |
| 1 child | 228.67 euros | 274.41 euros |
| 2 children | 274.41 euros | 320.14 euros |
| 3 children | 335.39 euros | 381.12 euros |
| 4 children | 396.37 euros | 442.10 euros |
| Per additional child | 60.98 euros | 60.98 euros |
Who is entitled to the Christmas bonus?
To benefit from the Christmas bonus, the main condition is tobe a beneficiary of minimum social benefits following: active solidarity income (RSA), specific solidarity allowance (ASS) or retirement equivalent allowance (AER). Other aid also gives the right to the bonus via Pôle emploi. Your family situation is also taken into account, if you live alone, as a couple or with dependent children.
Christmas bonus or “exceptional end-of-year assistance” paid by France Travail
In addition to the CAF and the MSA, the Christmas bonus is also paid by France Travail to certain beneficiaries. If your right to one of the benefits below is current for the month of November or December 2025, you will then be able to receive the Christmas bonus from France Travail. Please note that its amount is fixed, it amounts to 152.45 euros for mainland France and the overseas departments and 76.22 euros in Mayotte, regardless of your family situation.
- Specific solidarity allowance (ASS)
- The specific training solidarity allowance (ASS-F)
- Retirement equivalent allowance (AER)
- Public internship remuneration (RPS)
- Remuneration for France Travail training (RFFT)
- Assistance with business creation and takeover (ACRE-ASS)
On the other hand, if you already receive the return to work assistance allowance (ARE) from France Travail, you cannot claim the Christmas bonus, even if you receive the minimum allowance. The same goes for beneficiaries of the Disabled Adult Allowance (AAH), the minimum old age or the activity bonus.
What are the steps to take to benefit from the Christmas bonus?
To request or obtain the Christmas bonus, no action is required. If you are eligible and receive the RSA, the Christmas bonus is automatically paid by the CAF or the MSA. Do you receive ASS, AER or the flat-rate bonus for returning to work? It will then be France Travail which will take care of the payment. In any case, payment of the Christmas bonus is made automatically to the bank accounts of the people concerned. Let us also remember that the Christmas bonus is not taxable.
