18/08/2026
If you’ve worked in Spain, you’ve probably come across 12 or 14 salary payments & wondered, “Wait… what’s the difference?”
The reason Spain has 14 payments is that workers are generally entitled to two extra salary payments each year. One is usually around Christmas, while the timing of the other depends on the applicable convenio colectivo.
But here’s the important part: 14 payments doesn’t mean you’re earning more money. It’s basically your annual salary being divided differently.
FOR EXAMPLE, if your annual gross salary is €28,000:
💶 14 payments: €2,000 × 14
💶 12 payments: about €2,333 × 12
SAME €28,000 GROSS for the year, you just receive it differently throughout the year.
The EXTRA payments can also be PRORATED into your 12 monthly salaries, depending on the applicable convenio colectivo.
As an English teacher, I’ve seen different arrangements depending on the academy/school & the applicable convenio. So when I look at a job offer, I don’t just look at the monthly salary. I check the annual gross salary and how it’s paid.
Some people love getting those extra payments around summer and Christmas. Others prefer having a little more every month.
💶 What would you choose: 12 bigger monthly payments or 14 payments? 👇🏼
• U L A N in Spain | Rain Ruaza Clemente •
📌 Official reference: Spain’s Workers’ Statute provides for two extraordinary payments each year, although they can be prorated across the 12 monthly payments when allowed by the applicable collective agreement. (BOE – Estatuto de los Trabajadores, Article 31)
👉🏼Your actual arrangement depends on your contract and applicable convenio colectivo. fans
