What is the Aguinaldo in El Salvador?
The aguinaldo is a mandatory Christmas bonus that all employers must pay to their workers. It is regulated by El Salvador's Labor Code (Articles 196-202).
Bonus Days by Seniority
| Years of service | Salary days | |---|---| | 1 to 3 years | 15 days | | 3 to 10 years | 19 days | | Over 10 years | 21 days |
The aguinaldo is calculated based on the average salary of the last 6 months of work. If the salary varies, it is averaged for a fair calculation.
How is it Calculated?
- Determine your daily salary (monthly salary / 30)
- Identify the days you are entitled to based on seniority
- Multiply: daily salary x aguinaldo days
- If you didn't work the full year, it's calculated proportionally
Important Dates
- Payment period: December 12 to 20 each year
- Minimum requirement: At least 1 year of continuous work
- Proportional: If less than 1 year, you receive a proportional amount
The aguinaldo is exempt from income tax up to the equivalent of two minimum wages in the commerce sector. Any excess is taxable.
If you were terminated without just cause, you are entitled to a proportional aguinaldo for the time worked during the year.
Yes, all workers in a dependent employment relationship are entitled to aguinaldo, including domestic workers.
The full aguinaldo is divided by 12 months and multiplied by the months actually worked during the year.
The calculation is based on the average ordinary salary of the last 6 months, which may include regular commissions but not sporadic overtime.