Christmas jobs come with pay, insurance and working-hour rules

Seasonal work before Christmas can carry minimum-pay, insurance and working-hour requirements for employees and employers, ORF’s Styria service reports.

Jobs may include serving punch at Christmas markets, wrapping gifts or appearing as St Nicholas. The applicable collective agreement depends on the work and may provide for minimum pay and special payments, according to the Styrian Chamber of Labour.

Workers should also check the marginal earnings threshold, which is EUR 551.10 per month in 2026. Those who earn less are covered only by accident insurance, while those earning more are fully insured. A second job can also have tax and social insurance consequences and may need to be reported to an employer.

Employers must observe maximum working hours set out in collective agreements or works agreements, even if shops extend their opening hours before Christmas. Once an employee has reached the applicable maximum, a manager cannot require them to work more.

December 24 and 31 are ordinary working days under the law, although collective agreements may set different rules. December 8 is a statutory public holiday even though many shops open that day. December 25 and 26, as well as New Year’s Day, are also public holidays, and employees are entitled to holiday work pay.