17.02.2026 11:41
The application date is of critical importance for retirees who want to benefit from the 2026 holiday bonus. For the Ramadan Bayram bonus, the retirement application must be submitted by February 28 at the latest, and for the Kurban Bayram, it must be submitted by the end of April. Otherwise, the increased payments will not be received.
While millions of retirees are waiting for the holiday bonus increase in 2026, experts emphasize that the main determining factor is not the increase rate but the application date. To benefit from the Ramadan and Sacrifice Holiday bonuses, the retirement pension must be granted by the relevant holiday month. Otherwise, the right to receive the increased payment is completely lost.
FINAL DATE FOR RAMADAN IS FEBRUARY 28
Those who wish to benefit from the Ramadan Holiday bonus must submit their retirement application by February 28 at the latest. Individuals who apply in February and have their pensions granted will be entitled to receive the bonus. Applications made after this date will be excluded from the Ramadan payment.
CRITICAL END OF APRIL FOR SACRIFICE
For the Sacrifice Holiday bonus, the final threshold is the end of April. Since pensions for those who apply in April will be granted as of May 1, they will be able to benefit from the Sacrifice Holiday payment. Those who apply in May and later will not be able to receive either of the holiday bonuses for the year 2026. The system is based on the starting month of the pension, not the application date.
EXPECTATION OF INCREASE ABOVE 5,000 TL
It is being discussed to increase the holiday bonus, which is currently paid at 4,000 TL per file, to a level between 5,000 and 5,500 TL. The final amount will be published in the Official Gazette after the TBMM process and the approval of the President. In the event of a possible increase, those receiving widow and orphan pensions will also receive payments in proportion to their shares. If the bonus rises to 5,000 TL, those receiving 75% will get 3,750 TL, those receiving 50% will get 2,500 TL, and those receiving 25% will get 1,250 TL.
PAYMENTS IN MARCH
Due to the Ramadan Holiday falling on March 20-22, it is planned that the bonuses will be deposited into accounts in the second week of March, between March 9-19. The exact payment schedule will be announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The table is clear in the 2026 bonus process: the increase rate determines income, while the application date determines the right to payment. If the critical dates in February and April are missed, it will not be possible to benefit from the increased holiday bonus.