If you are an employee, expect an unpleasant surprise on your January pay slip. And for every month of the year! Several recent developments will lower your net salary.

If you are an employee, expect an unpleasant surprise on your January pay slip. And for every month of the year! Several recent developments will lower your net salary.

At the start of 2025, many employees risk having an unpleasant surprise when receiving their pay slip at the end of January, even in the following months. And for good reason: they will see a drop in their net salary, even though their contract has not changed and the state budget – the famous 2025 finance law – has still not been voted on. So why this reduction? Several factors explain the change.

First of all, the increase in mutual health insurance contributions is a major element of this reduction. Since January 1, mutual insurance prices have increased by an average of 5.3%. Even if your employer pays at least 50% of the contribution, the rest is directly deducted from your gross salary. Thus, this increase translates into a drop in your net salary, with an increase of 6 euros on average per month. It is therefore advisable to check the “Compulsory health supplement” line on your pay slip to understand the extent of this impact.

Then, another modification concerns the coverage of transport costs. Since the start of 2025, employers have returned to compulsory coverage of only 50% of public transport subscriptions. In 2024, some companies covered up to 75% of costs thanks to a tax exemption. As this measure has not been extended, support above 50% no longer benefits from tax advantages. However, some companies may continue to offer additional assistance, but without any tax relief for them. If you travel by car, there is nevertheless a good plan: the fuel premium, which increases from 200 to 300 euros, remains exempt from contributions. The sustainable mobility package has also been improved, with higher exemption ceilings for electric vehicles or soft mobility.

The third factor of decline comes from withholding tax. Since January 1, if you had adjusted your withholding rate in 2024 to pay less tax, this personalized rate has been reset. In fact, each year, the rate returns to that calculated by the tax administration. It may be higher or lower depending on your tax situation. This change may reduce your net salary even further, so it is essential to check your pay slip and, if necessary, adjust your rate again via your personal space on the tax website.

Unless you received an increase to anticipate these developments, you risk having an unpleasant surprise on your pay slip at the end of January. To prepare for this, take the time to carefully examine your pay slips and talk to your employer to find out if there is any possible compensation, particularly in terms of mobility. In any case, and pending possible government measures, 2025 promises to be difficult for purchasing power despite the slowdown in inflation.