On October 30th, after a majority consensus between the employers, labor and government sectors, the National Salary Council (NSC) as its acronym in Spanish (CNS), announced the increase of 2.37% in the minimum wages of the private sector starting next January 1st of 2025. 

There were also two additional adjustments:

• To domestic service (2.33% additional)
• For employees in a generic specialized occupation (0.55%)

See: Inicia proceso de negociación del ajuste salarial 2025 para sector privado

Christmas bonus

In Costa Rica, the Christmas bonus is a labor right that consists of an additional payment that employers must make to their employees at the end of the year. This right is held by workers after working for at least one continuous month for the same employer.

¿How is the bonus calculated?

It is calculated by adding all remunerations (salaries, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, or any amount received according to a certain compensation scheme) from December 1st of the previous year to November 30th of the current year, dividing the result of these sums by twelve.

¿Who is entitled to the bonus in Costa Rica?

All workers. It must be very clear that if they are under a regime of legal subordination, have a schedule to fulfill, personally provide the service, and are under the orders of an employer, they do have the right to receive a Christmas bonus.

¿When is the bonus paid?

It must be paid between December 1st and December 20th, which is the last effective day to make the payment.

¿How is the bonus for child support applied?

In this case, the bonus in child support issues is a minor's right, so the child debtor must pay it in favor of the minor. This bonus must be paid within the first fifteen days of December.

¿If a person had a disability, does the bonus affect the employee?

Suppose the disability is greater than three days. In that case, it will affect me because when I am disabled for more than three days, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CRSS), as its acronym in Spanish (CCSS) pays a subsidy. The employer does not pay the salary as such, which is why the remuneration varies, and therefore, the calculation of the bonus also varies.

See: https://jadelrio.com/storage/Boletines/Costa%20Rica/Boletin%2016/Aguinaldo%20pdf.pdf

Christmas bonus calculation: Calculadora de aguinaldo - Hermes Web Buscador