40-day Christmas bonus for federal workers in Mexico, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico): Good news for a group of workers in Mexico: the year-end bonus, known as the aguinaldo, may begin to be paid before December. For some beneficiaries, this benefit equals 40 days of salary, which is more than the minimum established for private-sector employees.
The benefit is not general for the entire working population. It is aimed mainly at federal public servants and other groups covered by a presidential decree, which establishes who may receive the bonus and under what conditions.
The decree was signed by President Claudia Sheinbaum and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on October 23, 2026, so deposits could begin in the coming days.
According to the decree, payment may begin on November 10, 2026, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). This means federal agencies may begin disbursing from that date, although not all beneficiaries will necessarily receive the money on the same day, because each institution must follow its own administrative rules.
The decree also provides for proportional payment to those who did not work the entire year, according to the conditions set for each group.
The provision covers several sectors linked to federal public administration, including: public servants subject to the Federal Law of Workers at the Service of the State; operational, liaison and command trust personnel; members of the Mexican Foreign Service, both in Mexico and in diplomatic missions; active-duty military personnel; individuals hired under fee-based contracts charged to Personal Services; and civilian and military pensioners, as well as beneficiaries of certain ISSSTE and federal treasury pensions.
It is important to note that not everyone is guaranteed exactly 40 days. For public servants covered by the bureaucratic law, the decree sets that amount, while for other groups it provides bonuses of up to 40 days, depending on the applicable conditions.
The federal decree does not automatically change the benefit for workers employed by private companies. Under Article 87 of the Federal Labor Law, the aguinaldo for private-sector workers must be at least 15 days of salary and paid before December 20.
Some companies may offer a larger amount if their contracts or internal benefits provide for it. Therefore, whether a person receives a 40-day bonus in 2026 will depend on the labor regime to which they belong, not solely on working in Mexico.
